Hyderabad airport, which saw the fastest growth in international cargo among major Indian airports in FY 2025, is expanding its cargo infrastructure and diversifying exports beyond pharmaceuticals, reported Chennai's Hindu daily
Hyderabad airport, which saw the fastest growth in international cargo among major Indian airports in FY 2025, is expanding its cargo infrastructure and diversifying exports beyond pharmaceuticals, reported Chennai's Hindu daily. The airport is enhancing air connectivity and adding new product segments such as perishables, engineering goods and e-commerce. A second cargo terminal is being built to handle 50,000 tonnes, while a dedicated facility for perishable exports will manage 25,000 tonnes.
The perishable facility will include temperature-controlled chambers for meat, fish, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Plans are underway to add an irradiation unit and pack house to support exports.
The airport aims to compete with Mumbai and Bengaluru by enabling direct exports from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, reducing costs for shippers who currently route cargo through other cities.
Chief executive officer Pradeep Panicker said international air traffic movements have grown 19 per cent compared to pre-Covid levels, with a 47 per cent rise in international destinations.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines began thrice weekly flights from Amsterdam, while Cathay Pacific will increase Hong Kong flights to daily service in winter. Lufthansa and Qatar Airways have expanded freighter capacity on the Hyderabad route.
In FY 2025, the airport handled around 1,000 freighter movements, with a 15 per cent increase in freighter capacity to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Passenger belly cargo capacity rose 12 per cent.
Mr Panicker said the airport is working with airlines to add new routes, especially for pharma, perishables and express cargo. More connections to Europe, CIS and South East Asia are expected soon.
In July, the airport launched a loyalty programme for freight forwarders offering priority handling, demurrage waivers and rewards.
These efforts align with India's push to diversify exports. Merchandise exports rose 2.5 per cent year on year in April to August. Exports to the US rose 18 per cent but fell 14 per cent month-on-month due to a new 25 per cent tariff.
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