New Delhi, India: India has expanded its domestic-to-international air cargo transshipment network following the successful completion of a proof-of-concept project on the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt route, with four additional domestic origins and two international destinations now included in the framework.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the expanded phase at the Transshipment Excellence Centre (TEC) at Terminal 2 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The initiative is aimed at reducing delays and handling costs associated with the movement of transshipment cargo through Indian airports.

The proof of concept began on June 20, 2026, covering the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt sector, with Air India operating the service end-to-end. During the exercise, 280 metric tonnes of cargo were transshipped, while aircraft capacity utilisation increased from 75% to nearly 100%.

A key change under the framework is the removal of mandatory re-screening for eligible transshipment cargo. Under revised security provisions notified by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in July 2025, secured transshipment cargo can move through dedicated Transfer Cargo Security Hold Areas without re-screening, provided prescribed security safeguards are followed.

The expanded network now includes Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad as additional domestic origin stations. London and Copenhagen have been added as international destinations. The government expects the expansion to increase Air India’s monthly cargo movement on the covered routes from 1,763 MT to 3,183 MT, representing an increase of nearly 80%.

Naidu said the government intends to extend the framework beyond domestic-to-international movements to international-to-international and international-to-domestic transshipment in subsequent phases. The broader objective is to strengthen India’s role in global air cargo transit by leveraging its geographic position between eastern and western markets.

Additional domestic origin stations and international destinations are expected to be added in the coming months. The rollout involves DIAL, BCAS, CISF, airlines, Customs and other stakeholders.

Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India
Press Release: Press Information Bureau