Airlines load big cargo plans for India
Key export sectors include electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, with companies like DHL predicting a 20% annual growth rate in the industry. «We're bullish,» said Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves, highlighting that cargo potential from India.
DHL CEO Pablo Ciano also identified significant growth areas in contract logistics and cross-border trade, emphasising that India's finished goods exports are growing at «20% year over year.» The logistics landscape is evolving, with increased investments in warehousing and fulfillment centers tailored to sectors like life sciences and healthcare.
Virgin Atlantic has also ramped up its services, launching a new route from London Heathrow to Bengaluru and adding a second daily flight to Mumbai, «After Covid, people have become accustomed to buying online, including from international sources.» The airline plans to increase cargo capacity significantly, citing India as its fastest-growing cargo market. Its chief commercial officer, Juha Jarvinen, said, «What is really changing in cargo is the ecommerce space; it's booming.» With the pandemic accelerating online shopping, traffic from international sources is expected to increase. Virgin Atlantic recently launched new services to Bengaluru and Mumbai, pointing to India's potential as a major cargo hub.
Etihad is expanding its cargo operations, operating five freighters alongside passenger services and exploring potential joint ventures in India. Neves noted, «The airline's operations in India have performed well,»
