Noida

Just two days after commencing commercial passenger services, the Noida International Airport (NIA) marked another significant milestone on Wednesday by launching its cargo operations with the arrival of its first dedicated freight aircraft.

The inaugural cargo flight, a Boeing 737-800F operated by Afcom Holdings, landed at the airport from Chennai and was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute at the newly established cargo terminal.

The flight was handled by the AISATS Multi Modal Cargo Hub (MMCH), which manages cargo services at NIA. Carrying nearly 20 tonnes of assorted cargo, the shipment included perishable goods, consolidated consignments, automobile components and mobile devices.

Airport officials described the development as a crucial step towards positioning Noida International Airport as a major logistics and cargo gateway for northern India by integrating air freight services with warehousing and multimodal transport infrastructure.

AISATS Chief Executive Officer Ramanathan Rajamani said the successful handling of the first cargo aircraft marked the beginning of a new phase in India’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem.

He noted that as supply chains become increasingly dependent on speed and connectivity, integrated infrastructure has become essential. According to him, the MMCH has been designed to bring cargo handling, warehousing and multimodal transportation under a single platform, allowing faster and more efficient movement of goods.

Rajamani added that the facility is expected to strengthen trade networks, support businesses across North India and enhance the country’s position in global commerce.

Afcom Holdings Chairman and Managing Director Deepak Parsuraman called the launch of the Chennai–Noida–Chennai cargo service an important milestone for both the company and India’s air cargo sector. He said collaboration with AISATS at the cargo hub would improve operational efficiency and service reliability.

Noida International Airport Vice Chairman Christoph Schnellmann highlighted the region’s growing industrial base, particularly in manufacturing, electronics and agriculture, and said the cargo facility would provide businesses with faster and more dependable access to domestic and international markets.

Meanwhile, Shailendra Kumar Bhatia, NIA Nodal Officer and Additional CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), said the cargo complex includes specialised cold-storage infrastructure for temperature-sensitive products such as pharmaceuticals, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

He stated that exporters operating in nearby industrial sectors developed by YEIDA would be able to transport goods from production units to aircraft within 30 minutes, significantly reducing transit time.

Bhatia also pointed out that future rail connectivity plans, including proposed rail spurs linking the airport to the Delhi–Howrah and Delhi–Mumbai railway corridors, along with its proximity to the Western and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors, would transform the airport into a key intermodal logistics hub connecting air, rail and road transport.

AISATS Chief Operating Officer Salim Chaudhary said the cargo complex spans 87 acres, including a 30-acre integrated cargo terminal and a 57-acre warehousing and logistics zone.

The facility has been designed to support a diverse range of cargo categories, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics, engineering products, e-commerce shipments and express cargo, while integrating digital cargo management systems to improve supply chain efficiency.

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Officials said the commencement of cargo services represents another major step in the development of Noida International Airport as a comprehensive aviation and logistics hub for the region.