India’s airports handled a record 3,64,289 tonnes of freight during June 2026, registering a 16 per cent year-on-year increase over 3,15,272 tonnes handled in the same month last year, driven by robust growth in international cargo, according to Airports Authority of India data.
International freight remained the principal growth driver, accounting for 2,31,736 tonnes in June 2026, or nearly 64 per cent of the country’s total air cargo throughput. International cargo expanded 19 per cent year-on-year in June, significantly outpacing the domestic freight growth, reflecting sustained strength in India’s export-import trade.
Airports handled 1,32,553 tonnes of domestic freight during the month, up 9 per cent from 1,21,120 tonnes in June 2025, the data shows.
Delhi dominates
Delhi continued to dominate India’s air cargo landscape.
It was the third consecutive month that the national capital’s airport handled more than one lakh tonnes of cargo. Mumbai retained the second position; followed by Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata completed the top five, says the data.
Bengaluru widens lead over Chennai
Bengaluru further widened its lead over Chennai, with the gap in monthly freight volumes increasing to more than 12,200 tonnes. Bengaluru’s growth was driven by stronger performance in both international and domestic cargo, cementing the city’s position as the leading air cargo hub in southern India.
J. Krishnan of S Natesa Iyer Logistics LLP, on the cargo growth noted that the temporary easing of tensions in West Asia and continued avoidance of the Suez route by merchant shipping saw this increase in demand for air cargo. Depleted inventories opening of the perishable markets in the West and increased frequencies have all contributed to this surge.
On Bengaluru’s increasing dominance in south, Krishnan observed that it has followed a robust policy to sustain and improve both the infrastructure and processes keeping the customer interest paramount. The results of its leadership is a natural consequence.
One million tonnes in a quarter
During the first quarter of FY27 (April-June), India’s airports handled 1.08 million tonnes of freight, an increase of 12 per cent over 9,61,418 tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. This is despite the West Asia crisis that started around March.
International cargo continued to outperform domestic freight during the quarter. International cargo volumes increased 14 per cent to 6,78,821 tonnes, while domestic cargo grew 9 per cent to 3,97,398 tonnes, according to the data.
As cargo volumes continue to grow, the focus must now shift towards expanding terminal capacity, improving landside connectivity, simplifying regulatory procedures, and attracting more freighter operations, CK Govil, CMD of the Delhi-based Activair Airfreight India Pvt Ltd, said. These measures will enable Delhi to consolidate its leadership and support India’s ambition of becoming a global logistics and manufacturing hub, he added.
Published on August 2, 2026
