EXPRESS CARGO DRIVES GROWTH TRAJECTORY

The future of Indian air cargo industry will be defined by the growing demand for express and time-definite services. What began as a specialised solution a decade ago, is now a mainstream necessity across sectors, such as pharma, healthcare, perishables, food, retail, and luxury. Demand for express deliveries is forcing LSPs to adopt innovative solutions to boost efficiency, which is the mantra for staying competitive. Speed, transparency, and sustainability will set the winners apart, making express air cargo not just an industry trend, but a strategic driver of India's economic growth and global competitiveness.

- 

India's air cargo industry is undergoing a transformation. At the heart of this shift lies the rising demand for express and time-definite deliveries, which has increased tremendously in the past decade.

With rising exposure and internet penetration, especially in tier II and III cities, India's economy is on a growth trajectory. Efficiency has also become the core differentiator for manufacturers, logistics service providers (LSPs), and retailers.

With this shift, consumers are conditioned to demand speed and certainty, and Indian air cargo has emerged as the most reliable mode of transport for time-sensitive goods and express deliveries. The growth of express services and the insistence on guaranteed timelines are reshaping cargo operational strategies and redefining the long-term trajectory of the industry in the country.

E-COMMERCE EXPLOSION

The major factor driving this trend is the rise of e-commerce. Over the past decade, India has become one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the world, driven by increased internet penetration, affordable smartphones, and digital payment adoption. Consumers now expect their orders to be delivered within a day or two, even when they are shipped across states. Companies, such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and other niche e-commerce platforms are demanding that logistics players compress delivery timelines, which, in turn, has elevated the role of air cargo. With the rise of same-day deliveries, and 10-minute deliveries introduced by Zepto and Blinkit, air express services have become the backbone of e-commerce fulfilment, during high-demand seasons such as festive sales or flash discount events, where millions of shipments are delivered within tight timelines.

RELIANCE ON AIR FREIGHT