‘Regional airfreight corridors linked to industrial clusters & agri zones will drive growth’

Balagopal Balachandran, National Head – Air freight, FEI Cargo said, “India has over 73 regional airports now handling some level of cargo operations, up from just a dozen five years ago. Krishi Udan 2.0 is operational at around 58 airports under this scheme has been launched to facilitate the air transportation of agricultural and perishable products from smaller cities, northeastern states, enhancing farmers’ access to larger markets and has helped to boost agri-export cargo movement by over 30 per cent year-on-year. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), while primarily focused on passenger connectivity, UDAN has connected (as of early 2024) 450+ routes, with more than 73 airports are now equipped with basic cargo infrastructure, promoting regional logistics. These efforts are crucial for decongesting major hubs and promoting balanced economic growth across the country. Airports like Indore has shown growth exceeding 20% CAGR over the last 3 years, Surat has emerged as a Diamond export Hub etc. Additionally, the government aims to develop 33 new cargo terminals by 2025 under the PM Gati Shakti plan, focusing on regional airfreight corridors linked to industrial clusters and agri zones. With the convergence of infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, and growing global trade ties, India is well-positioned to become a dominant air freight gateway not just for Asia, but for the WORLD”