Beyond tarmac: How BLR Airport is redefining cargo terminal operations
As global cargo terminals evolve from manual handling centres into digitally integrated supply-chain ecosystems, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru offers a clear, practical view of what this transformation looks like in action.
Menzies Aviation Domestic Air Cargo Terminal at BLR Airport
Across global air cargo hubs, cargo terminals are moving away from manual, fragmented processes towards digitally integrated, data-led ecosystems where automation, paperless documentation, and real-time visibility are becoming essential. According to Fletcher Samuel, Senior Lead, Cargo Business at Bangalore International Airport (BIAL), this shift marks a structural change in how cargo operations are designed and managed.
“Globally, cargo terminal operations are shifting from manual, fragmented processes to digitally integrated, data-led ecosystems,” he says, adding that automation and tighter coordination across stakeholders are now fundamental to managing growth.
From manual handling to digital ecosystems
At Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB/BLR Airport), this shift is most visible in the way the cargo ecosystem has been digitally unified. The Airport Cargo Community System (ACS/CargobyBLR) functions as a single platform connecting airlines, Customs, freight forwarders, ground handlers, and trucking partners. Samuel explains that the intent was to move away from isolated decision-making and towards a shared operational view.
“Powered by AI-driven predictive analytics and real-time data sharing, the system enables smarter capacity planning, reduces congestion, and ensures seamless cargo movement,” he says. Rather than responding to disruptions after they occur, the platform allows the ecosystem to anticipate demand and manage flows proactively.
The same philosophy underpins BLR Airport’s approach to landside cargo operations, often a major bottleneck at high-growth gateways. The Airport Truck Management Facility (ATMF), developed with Shell Mobility India, represents a decisive move towards paperless, automated truck handling. He notes that the impact has been immediate and measurable.
“Handling over 1,600 trucks daily, ATMF has reduced average truck turnaround time from four hours to one,” he says, pointing out that 78 percent of vehicles now enter the terminal within 20 minutes. By addressing congestion at the gate, the airport has significantly improved predictability for logistics partners operating under tight timelines.
“By aligning closely with global best practices through digital workflows, system integration, and ecosystem integration, BLR Airport has evolved beyond a transit hub into a strategic supply-chain node for South India and global trade corridors.”
Fletcher Samuel, Bangalore International Airport
Solving scale, speed and compliance
Inside the terminals, technology has been embedded across infrastructure and workflows. IoT-enabled systems, automated scanners, self-check kiosks, and data analytics now provide end-to-end visibility across cargo touchpoints. Samuel emphasises that these investments are not about technology for its own sake.
“Data analytics supports proactive maintenance and optimised resource deployment,” he says, allowing operations to scale efficiently while maintaining accuracy and reliability. Together, these initiatives position BLR Airport as one of India’s most technologically advanced air cargo hubs.
By aligning closely with global best practices through digital workflows, system integration, and ecosystem integration, he pointed out that BLR Airport has evolved beyond a transit hub into a strategic supply-chain node for South India and global trade corridors. “These advancements mirror global hubs like Singapore Changi and Hong Kong, reinforcing Bengaluru’s role as a high-value cargo gateway, driven by pharma, electronics, aerospace, and e-commerce exports,” he says.
The need for such a model becomes clear when viewed against the operational challenges of a rapidly expanding Indian gateway. “Balancing speed with compliance amid ecosystem fragmentation remains key,” Samuel says. Rather than relying on reactive capacity expansion, BLR Airport has focused on process efficiency, digital integration, and collaborative infrastructure to address these pressures.
Partnerships with global cargo handlers such as Menzies Aviation and WFS have strengthened terminal design, cold-chain capabilities, and operational workflows.
Designing for high-value, time-sensitive
A defining feature of BLR Airport’s cargo strategy is the belief that smart infrastructure and process optimisation deliver greater value than physical expansion alone. Cargo terminals are designed with layouts that minimise dwell points and cargo movement, while significant investments in temperature-controlled, pharma-compliant handling zones support the airport’s high-value export profile.
“AI-led analytics support capacity forecasting and congestion management, allowing operations to respond proactively to demand fluctuations,” He says, reinforcing the role of intelligence-led planning in daily operations.
What efficiency looks like in measurable terms
The outcomes of this approach are reflected in clear performance improvements. Samuel points to reduced dwell times as a key indicator of success.
“Export dwell time has been reduced to 13 hours and import dwell time to 43 hours,” he says, noting that these gains are the result of data-led process optimisation rather than isolated interventions. The adoption of CargobyBLR by 95 percent of ecosystem partners has further strengthened service reliability by digitising documentation and minimising manual intervention.
Complementing these digital initiatives is integrated infrastructure such as the AISATS BLR Logistics Park and India’s largest Domestic Cargo Terminal, which enhances multimodal connectivity and supports seamless handoffs across upstream and downstream supply chains.
Designing the future cargo terminal
Looking ahead, Samuel believes the future of cargo terminals will be shaped less by scale and more by integration, cargo mix evolution, and sustainability expectations.
“Innovation will be driven by precision handling, predictability, and speed,” he says, particularly as high-value segments such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, perishables, and ecommerce gain prominence. BLR Airport is responding by deepening investments in automation, AI-enabled logistics, and ecosystem integration, ensuring that stakeholders operate with real-time visibility and coordinated decision-making.
Sustainability is increasingly embedded in this operational model. He notes that digital optimisation has already delivered tangible environmental benefits. “Shorter dwell times and efficient truck movement reduce emissions by 25–30 percent,” he says.
BLR Airport is positioning itself as a future-ready cargo gateway, one that supports India’s global trade ambitions while setting new benchmarks for intelligent, sustainable, and supply-chain–integrated cargo terminal operations.
The article was originally published in the Jan 2026 issue of The STAT Trade Times.
