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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM61900
Volume:
10 |
4 |
April 2026
Pages:
1-7
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Department of Aviation,
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
Department of Aviation,
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
Department of Aviation,
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
Department of Aviation,
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
Department of Aviation,
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
Department of Aviation,
Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies, Chennai, India
India's air cargo sector reached an all-time record of 25.53 Lakh Metric Tonnes in FY 2024-25, yet its decade-long compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has decelerated sharply—from 7.6% to 2.9% (domestic) and 6.3% to 2.6% (international)—attributable primarily to structural supply-side shocks rather than weak demand. This study draws on three editions of the DGCA Handbook on Civil Aviation Statistics (FY 2014-15, FY 2019-20, FY 2024-25 Provisional) to construct a ten-year longitudinal baseline, diagnose India's most critical structural vulnerabilities, and project three growth scenarios to 2035: conservative (6% CAGR, ~4,500 TMT), base (7.5% CAGR, ~5,300 TMT), and optimistic (9% CAGR, ~6,200 TMT). The study simultaneously benchmarks six advanced technology domains—automation and robotics, AI-based demand forecasting, IoT real-time tracking, blockchain documentation, paperless e-freight, and smart warehousing—deployed at world-leading cargo hubs (Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Frankfurt) against India's current adoption status. A structured technology gap assessment and a phased, India-specific implementation roadmap are presented. Evidence demonstrates that India's 2035 ambitions require not merely infrastructure investment and demand growth but a fundamental upgrade in operational intelligence—the kind already standard at global benchmark hubs. Keywords: Air cargo, India, DGCA, logistics, technology deficit, e-commerce, freight, supply chain, 2035 forecast, dedicated freighters, automation, blockchain
KEYWORDS
India's air cargo sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, recovering from a 35.4% COVID-induced collapse to reach a new all-time high of 25.53 Lakh MT in FY 2024-25. The foundational ingredients for top-five global market status exist: demand scale, geographic position (within 9 hours of 60% of the global population), pharmaceutical export dominance (~20% of global generics), PLI-driven manufacturing momentum, and an improving regulatory environment. What this study makes unambiguous is that the path to that target requires deliberate structural intervention on three fronts simultaneously: dedicated freighter capacity and Indian carrier market share growth; cargo hub infrastructure development to international standards at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai; and a coordinated six-domain technology modernisation programme.
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Publication Date
4/29/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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