Guwahati Airport Records 35% Cargo Growth, Announces Plans for New Freight Terminal.

Guwahati Airport, managed by the Adani Group, has reported a 35% year-on-year growth in domestic cargo and is planning to build an integrated cargo terminal to boost e-commerce and the export of local products from the North-East region.

The surge in cargo movement was largely driven by Blue Dart, which began scheduled freighter operations on January 29, 2024. Currently, Blue Dart is the only cargo airline operating at Guwahati, flying a Boeing 737 freighter five times a week with a 21-tonne capacity each way. The airline also operates charter flights for the Reserve Bank of India using a Boeing 757.

Between April and December 2024, the airport handled 19,914.5 tonnes of domestic freight, with inbound cargo accounting for 60-75% of total freight. Though outbound cargo remains limited, especially from a consumer market like Guwahati, inbound freight, including e-commerce, mail, and parcels, has seen significant growth.

A new trend has emerged in the movement of perishable goods, including items like avocados, according to a Guwahati International Airport spokesperson.

To support this growing demand, the airport is in the process of conceptualizing an Integrated Cargo Terminal (ICT). The new facility will handle both domestic and international cargo, including perishable goods, pharma products, and special cargo. This move is in line with the Assam government’s efforts to attract investment and boost the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

The ICT is expected to play a crucial role in expanding the airport’s cargo capacity and enhancing regional distribution efficiency for the North-East region.

HBL