Recent developments underscore India’s expanding air cargo sector for perishables, with notable milestones demonstrating the country’s rising prominence in quick, efficient agricultural exports.
     In a significant achievement, 250 tonnes of litchis originating from little known Darbhanga Airport in Bihar recently reached major metropolitan markets across India. This shipment highlights the increasing role of regional airports in facilitating the export of perishable goods from less-known production hubs.
     Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) continues to cement its status as India’s premier gateway for perishable cargo. During the 2025 mango season, CSMIA handled a total of 3,624 metric tonnes (MT) of mango exports in April and May alone—marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year. The airport’s robust cargo infrastructure has been instrumental in supporting India’s reputation for exporting high-quality mangoes globally. As India’s perishable trade grows, regional airports are emerging as crucial hubs for consolidating fruits like mangoes before forwarding them to major gateways like Mumbai or directly to international markets. Goa’s Manohar International Airport exemplifies this trend, having recently facilitated its inaugural shipment of mangoes to Oman, showcasing the potential of regional air cargo operations.
     This burgeoning sector is closely linked to government initiatives like Krishi UDAN, launched in August 2020, with an upgraded version—Krishi UDAN 2.0—introduced in October 2021. The scheme aims to enhance connectivity for agricultural produce, especially from remote and underserved regions, under the broader UDAN (Ude Desh Aa Naagrik) framework that seeks to improve regional air connectivity for citizens nationwide.
     Krishi UDAN emphasizes integrating agriculture and aviation sectors (A2A), with a focus on high-value, time-sensitive shipments. Regional airlines such as Fly91, Alhind Air, Shankh Air, and Air Kerala are increasingly leveraging regional airports to facilitate cargo movement, despite challenges like limited aircraft belly space, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory hurdles. These carriers are deploying smaller aircraft—ATR 72-600s and Airbus A320s—to support both passenger and cargo operations, targeting markets for electronics, medical supplies, and luxury goods.
     Fly91’s CEO, Manoj Chacko, (left) highlights the emerging role of regional airlines in supporting India’s economic growth. While currently focusing on passenger services, Fly91 envisions utilizing its fleet to handle niche, high-value cargo, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where logistical infrastructure is still developing. “While our current model does not include (cargo or) dedicated freighters, we see promising opportunities in leveraging our existing fleet to support niche markets, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities where logistics infrastructure is still developing.”
     Chacko emphasizes that such airlines can bridge remote markets and national supply chains by offering rapid, reliable transport for urgent shipments like perishables, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce parcels: “Our focus is on high-value, urgent cargo that benefits from the speed and flexibility of regional air connectivity.”
     The Krishi UDAN scheme has already demonstrated tangible benefits, helping farmers and exporters access international markets more swiftly. States like Haryana and Punjab have been early beneficiaries; in 2018, the scheme facilitated the export of kinnow citrus, reducing transit times and spoilage. Northeastern states such as Assam and Manipur are also leveraging regional airports like Guwahati and Imphal to export mangoes and vegetables more efficiently.
     Despite these promising developments, the scheme’s overall impact remains modest due to limited geographic coverage, high transportation costs, infrastructure gaps, and lack of awareness among farmers and cooperatives. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for unlocking the full potential of India’s regional air cargo network and further boosting the export of perishables.
As India continues to expand its regional connectivity and cargo capabilities, the integration of dedicated air cargo services at regional airports promises to unlock new markets for agricultural produce, support farmers’ incomes, and enhance India’s position as a global supplier of fresh produce.
Tirthankar Ghosh