WHAT IS POWERING INDIA'S NEW AIR CARGO & LOGISTICS ERA?

What was once a quiet, behind-the-scenes engine of trade has now become a pillar of India's economic ambitions — fuelled by e-commerce growth, rising manufacturing, and a nationwide push for supply chain resilience. Airports are modernising, freighters are gaining importance, and digital tools are reshaping speed and precision of air cargo movements. CARGOTALK speaks to cargo agents who paint a clear picture that the sector is evolving faster than ever, and the opportunities ahead are as significant as the challenges.

- Ritika Arora Bhola

The air cargo and logistics sector is in a defining era. For decades, cargo operations played second fiddle to aviation, functioning in the background to keep trade moving. Today, cargo has moved into the spotlight. Driven by booming e-commerce, rising manufacturing activity, focus on global supply chain resilience, digitalisation, investments in infra, and multimodal cargo ops, the sector is experiencing a change.

Conversations with stakeholders reveal a sector that is not only optimistic but also pragmatic, aware of its potential, yet clear about the work still to be done to achieve global competitiveness. The cargo agents' insights point toward key learnings from 2025 and defining themes shaping India's cargo future in the year ahead.

INFRA IMPROVING

The most recurring observation from cargo agents is the visible improvement in multimodal cargo infrastructure over the past five years. Initiatives such as NLP and PMGS, modernised cargo terminals, DFCs, cold chain zones, MMLPs, railways and ports, and digital processing systems, have been improved. A decade ago, the agents would lose precious time waiting for documentation or clearance at customs. Now, cargo flow has become faster. “As volumes rise, it must be ensured that infrastructure does not fall behind again,” say experts. “India's improved cargo infra — enabling faster throughput, especially driven from express cargo, perishables, pharma — demands expansion and modernisation. Freighter parking, transshipment hubs, specialised handling equipment, and advanced cold-chain facilities are the next major priorities,” experts stressed.

DIGITALISATION NO LONGER OPTIONAL