India’s role in global supply chains is set to deepen further as Emirates SkyCargo prepares to add two additional weekly dedicated freighter services to the country from March 2026. The expansion, covering Mumbai and Ahmedabad, will raise the airline’s average cargo capacity to about 3,000 tonnes per week, underscoring the growing importance of Indian exports in global trade flows.
The new services will strengthen connectivity between India and the airline’s global hub in Dubai, enhancing access to markets across Europe, Africa, the Americas and West Asia. Aviation analysts say the move reflects sustained demand for reliable, long-haul cargo capacity from Indian manufacturers, particularly in sectors where speed, temperature control and predictability are critical. With the additional freighters, Emirates SkyCargo will operate five dedicated cargo flights a week to India, supported by substantial belly-hold capacity on passenger services across nine Indian gateways. This integrated model allows exporters to move a wide range of goods, from high-value pharmaceuticals and electronics to garments, engineering products and agricultural produce.
Industry data indicates that pharmaceuticals alone account for a significant share of outbound air cargo from India, with hundreds of tonnes shipped weekly to overseas markets. Perishables, including fruits and vegetables, also form a major component, supported by temperature-controlled logistics. Logistics specialists note that such exports are increasingly tied to urban infrastructure quality, including cold-chain facilities, airport handling efficiency and last-mile connectivity. Beyond airports, the airline has steadily expanded its road feeder network within India, enabling cargo to be consolidated from inland manufacturing clusters rather than relying solely on metro gateways. More than a thousand trucking movements annually now link production centres to international flights, improving access for small and mid-sized exporters located outside major cities. Recent additions of offline cargo stations in secondary hubs are expected to further integrate regional economies into global trade lanes.
India is currently ranked among the airline’s top three cargo markets worldwide, a position driven by the country’s expanding manufacturing base, growth in e-commerce exports and rising demand for specialised logistics. Policy measures such as liberalised cargo capacity rules for exports and trade agreements with key partners have also contributed to this momentum. Urban economists point out that air cargo growth has wider implications for cities. Strong freight connectivity supports industrial real estate demand, warehouse development and employment generation, while efficient logistics can reduce waste and emissions by cutting transit times. However, they add that sustained investment in green airport operations and cleaner surface transport will be essential to align cargo growth with climate-resilient urban development.
As India’s export economy diversifies and scales up, the expansion of dedicated freighter capacity signals confidence in the country’s long-term trade fundamentals. For cities and regions beyond the major metros, improved cargo access could become a catalyst for more balanced, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Emirates SkyCargo Expands India Air Freight Network
