Hyderabad: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) recorded a 22% growth in cargo transportation, with the airport’s cargo complex handling 1,80,914 metric tonnes in 2024. While international cargo shipments showed a 36% increase to 1,08,520 MT, domestic cargo rose 5% to 72,395 MT in 2024.
High-value pharmaceutical shipments accounted for 72% of the total cargo shipped from Hyderabad airport during 2024, with electrical and electronic items, as well as engineering goods movement, also recording good growth. Additionally, the United States and Europe accounted for 51% of the total exports via the airport, the GMR-run airport said.
The cargo was ferried to over 20 international destinations in the US, Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Australia, and China, through passenger and freighter flights.
GHIAL said the growth in cargo handling came even as the cargo infrastructure at the airport is undergoing a significant expansion to meet the surging demand.
This includes an upgrade of the existing cargo terminal 1 that, upon completion, will feature a domestic terminal, international courier and express terminal, and a dedicated export perishables terminal to boost operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The airport is also developing a new cargo terminal 2 that will substantially increase the overall handling capacity, with the first phase expected to become operational this year.
An additional 20,000 square feet of warehousing space is also being developed within the RGIA cargo village to strengthen the airport’s logistics capabilities, GHIAL said.
Hyderabad cargo was also re-accredited under the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations Programme (ISAGO) in February 2024 and achieved US Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) certification.
