Noida International Airport Launches Cargo Operations to Relieve Delhi Congestion

Noida International Airport (NIA) has commenced cargo operations to alleviate capacity constraints at Delhi Airport, according to nodal officer Shailendra Bhatia. The facility, developed by Zurich Airport, handled its first flight from Chennai via Afcom Holdings and features a multimodal cargo hub capable of handling 255,000 tons annually in its first phase.

How will Noida International Airport decongest Delhi’s air cargo?

The launch of cargo services at NIA is designed to reduce pressure on the saturated Delhi Air Cargo terminal. Shailendra Bhatia, the airport’s nodal officer, stated that NIA unlocks export potential for northern Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and western Uttar Pradesh.

Exporters in Northern India have reported frustration over airline capacity constraints. According to the report, this congestion was worsened by Bangladesh apparel transshipment cargo, though those specific bilateral arrangements were revoked in April 2025.

By shifting volumes to NIA, logistics providers can avoid the bottlenecks currently plaguing the capital’s primary gateway. Vineet Malhotra, co-founder and director at Kale Logistics Solutions, noted that the airport, also known as Jewar Airport, will transform the region into a primary logistics and aviation hub.

What are the technical specifications of the NIA cargo terminal?

The facility is built for scale. In its initial phase, cargo handling capacity is estimated at 2 million tons, with plans to increase this to 8 million tons per year in subsequent stages.

A central feature is the 87-acre multimodal cargo hub (MMCH). According to airport data, the MMCH can handle 255,000 tons of cargo annually during phase 1, with a scalability ceiling of 1.8 million tons. This hub is supported by a 57-acre integrated warehouse and logistics zone.

Strategic location also plays a role. Sources indicate the terminal benefits from close proximity to both the eastern and western dedicated freight corridors, providing a direct link to the country’s vast hinterland.

Which companies are driving the new cargo hub?

Zurich Airport holds the development rights for the airport. Cargo handling is managed by AISATS, a joint venture between Singapore-based SATS and the Tata-owned Air India, which holds a 20-year concession.

The first flight was operated by Afcom Holdings, a home-grown cargo airline. Data shows Afcom entered the market in 2022 and currently operates a fleet of three 737 freighters.

Jitendra Srivastava, CEO of Triton Logistics & Maritime, told The Loadstar that this infrastructure improves connectivity between manufacturing centers and markets across Asia, the Middle East, and SAARC nations.

How does NIA compare to other Indian airport expansions?

India is seeing a simultaneous push for cargo capacity in both the north and west. While NIA targets the northern trade belt, the Adani Group-operated Navi Mumbai International Airport is preparing to start freighter services on July 15.

This dual expansion comes at a time of strong growth. Despite Middle East conflicts causing supply chain disruptions, Indian air cargo recorded a 40% jump in international movement in April, according to recent data.

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