India Air Cargo Market to Double to 6.9M Tonnes by FY2030

India's air cargo market is on track for substantial expansion, with cargo volumes projected to nearly double from 3.9 million tonnes in FY2026 to 6.9 million tonnes by FY2030. This growth trajectory reflects a hub-led development strategy supported by robust pharmaceutical exports, rising express logistics demand, and improvements in regional connectivity. For supply chain professionals, this forecast signals both capacity opportunities and the need to adapt sourcing and distribution strategies around emerging hub infrastructure.

The shift toward hub concentration indicates a consolidation of air cargo operations around key Indian airports, which will likely reshape how companies route time-sensitive shipments and high-value exports. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, in particular, will benefit from improved cold-chain capabilities and dedicated capacity at these developing hubs. However, supply chain teams must monitor airport capacity utilisation rates and congestion patterns during the transition period, as demand may outpace infrastructure development in certain quarters.

This structural growth in India's air cargo ecosystem presents strategic considerations for companies with Asia-Pacific operations. Organizations should evaluate their hub selection criteria, warehouse positioning relative to airports, and carrier partnerships to optimise their use of this expanding capacity. The forecast underscores India's increasing role as a global logistics node and suggests that supply chain resilience strategies should account for India's rising importance in pharmaceutical and express distribution networks.