BLR Cargo: At the heart of South India’s manufacturing boom
As South India’s manufacturing economy scales, Bangalore International Airport has positioned itself as the cargo gateway that keeps the region’s supply chains connected to the world.
Kempegowda International Airport (KIAB/BLR Airport) has established itself as the cargo gateway for South India. At a time when manufacturing clusters across the southern states are expanding their global imprint, the airport is positioning itself as the conduit that keeps these supply chains moving.
Geography of attraction
BLR’s cargo story is inseparable from the economic geography it serves, according to Arun Chandra, Vice President, Aviation Business, Bangalore International Airport.
Karnataka’s electronics and aerospace belt, Mysuru’s pharma and nutraceutical industries, Hubballi–Dharwad’s engineering base, and Hassan’s agri-produce zones all rely on BLR’s international connections. Beyond the state borders, the airport has become a preferred gateway for Coimbatore’s textile and machinery exporters and even Hyderabad’s biotech and life sciences players.
“These clusters utilise BLR’s strong global connectivity for exports and imports,” he says, noting that this network is strengthened even further by the airport’s road feeder service Logi Connect, which feeds hinterland cargo directly into global destinations.
“As a cargo hub for the region, we see these feeder markets rapidly expanding, and our priority is to ensure capacity, connectivity, and capability stay ahead of industry demand,” Chandra said.
Infrastructure as advantage
What truly sets the airport apart, however, goes deeper than geography. BLR has built an infrastructure stack that gives it an operational edge that few airports in the region can match.
Chandra describes it as a combination of “advanced infrastructure inside the airport and seamless access outside it,” emphasising that the airport today offers the region’s largest cargo capacity at around 1.1 million tonnes per annum.
Chandra points out, “The airport also houses India’s largest greenfield Domestic Cargo Terminal (DCT) with a scalable capacity of 360,000–400,000 tonnes, designed specifically for temperature-sensitive and high-value commodities such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and auto components.”
The airport’s truck-to-terminal interface has also transformed. The Airport Truck Management Facility (ATMF) has cut truck turnaround times from nearly four hours to about one, a shift that directly translates into cost and time savings for shippers and airlines.
Chandra called the airport’s key differentiator “reliability.” As he puts it, “Customers choose BLR because cargo moves faster, with fewer touchpoints, and with higher predictability.”
“All our facilities are equipped with advanced systems for real-time data capture, enabling faster and more accurate processing. With AI-enabled tracking, automated scanners, and real-time inventory systems, BLR Cargo sets a benchmark for precision, compliance, and operational excellence,” he adds.
Diverse commodities
The airport’s preparedness for the region’s diverse commodities is evident in its focus on specialised cargo handling. BLR Airport’s cargo ecosystem features WFS BLR Coolport, India’s first dedicated cold-chain infrastructure, and South India’s first fully operational on-airport drug control lab that enables faster pharmaceutical testing, regulatory compliance, and customs clearance.
“The cold-chain operations adhere to IATA CEIV Pharma and WHO GPD standards,” Chandra highlights, noting that the Airport Cargo Community System (ACS) and on-site regulatory agencies bring further visibility and efficiency. Looking ahead, the airport is increasing its readiness for emerging categories like semiconductor components, EV battery parts, precision instruments and premium perishables.
Growth directions
This foundation is proving timely. In FY 2024–25, BLR Airport crossed the half-million-tonne mark for the first time, registering 14 per cent year-on-year growth. “This growth is supported by increased regional manufacturing activity, higher global demand, expanding multimodal connectivity, and investments in greener, more efficient supply-chain infrastructure,” says Chandra.
He also reported that e-commerce and machinery spare parts are among the fastest-growing commodity categories, “driven by rapid fulfilment cycles, service-level expectations, and sectoral expansion.”
On the trade lane side,” he adds, “exports to North America, South America, and Europe are showing the strongest acceleration, while imports from Asia and the Middle East are expanding at the fastest pace.”
To stay ahead of this growth, BLR is scaling its capacities and systems in parallel. Chandra points to ongoing expansion in general and cold-chain infrastructure, upgrades in digital systems, enhanced truck management, and stronger collaboration with global partners such as Menzies Aviation, WFS, FedEx, DHL, UPS and Blue Dart. “We are also engaging with airlines to attract additional freighter capacity and new long-haul cargo routes.”
“Our mandate is to ensure BLR stays ahead of market growth curves and continues to outperform,” Chandra says. With rising regional manufacturing, expanding global demand and a cargo ecosystem built for precision and scalability, Bangalore Airport is becoming the region’s most indispensable logistics engine.
The article was originally published in the Dec 2025 issue of The STAT Trade Times.
