Loading...
GMR Airports Limited (GAL) reported a strong financial performance in FY26, with total income rising 40 percent year-on-year to ₹152.01 billion, driven by record passenger traffic, expanding cargo operations, and improved airport infrastructure. The company also posted a profit after tax (PAT) of ₹4.72 billion, marking its first full-year profit in more than a decade.
A key contributor to the growth story was the company’s cargo business, which continued to gain momentum despite broader geopolitical disruptions affecting global air freight networks. Industry data indicates that India’s air cargo sector remained resilient through FY26, supported by rising international trade, e-commerce shipments, pharmaceuticals, and perishables moving through major airport hubs.
GMR strengthened its cargo footprint during the year by securing the concession to operate and modernise Cargo Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport. The company had already been managing the facility on an interim basis since May 2025, ensuring operational continuity while preparing for long-term expansion. At Hyderabad Airport, GMR commissioned the new Cargo Terminal 2 in May 2026, adding an initial handling capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes annually, with scope to double throughput in the future. The facility includes a dedicated temperature-controlled zone for pharmaceutical and perishable cargo, two of the fastest-growing air freight segments.
The infrastructure investments translated into higher cargo volumes across GMR’s airport network. Delhi Airport handled a record 1.15 million metric tonnes of cargo during FY26, reinforcing its position as India’s largest air cargo gateway. Hyderabad Airport also achieved its highest-ever annual cargo throughput at approximately 187,000 metric tonnes, reflecting growing demand from exporters, manufacturers, and logistics providers.
Beyond cargo, GMR Airports handled a record 121.6 million passengers during FY26 across its portfolio, underscoring the continued recovery and expansion of India’s aviation sector. Strong traffic growth, combined with improved operational efficiencies and increasing non-aeronautical revenues, helped drive EBITDA up 47 percent to a record ₹61.5 billion.
The company’s flagship assets also delivered robust performances. Delhi Airport recorded significant earnings growth and returned to profitability, while Hyderabad Airport posted its highest profit since FY20. Both airports benefited from higher passenger traffic, growing cargo volumes, and enhanced commercial activity.
As India’s air cargo market continues to expand, airport operators are increasingly investing in specialised freight infrastructure to capture growth opportunities.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
GMR Airports Limited (GAL) reported a strong financial performance in FY26, with total income rising 40 percent year-on-year to ₹152.01 billion, driven by record passenger traffic, expanding cargo operations, and improved airport infrastructure. The company also posted a profit after tax (PAT) of ₹4.72 billion, marking its first full-year profit in more than a decade. A key contributor to the growth story was the company’s cargo business, which continued to gain momentum despite broader geopolitical disruptions affecting global air freight networks. Industry data indicates that India’s air cargo sector remained resilient through FY26, supported by rising international trade, e-commerce shipments, pharmaceuticals, and perishables moving through major airport hubs. GMR strengthened its cargo footprint during the year by securing the concession to operate and modernise Cargo Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport. The company had already been managing the facility on an interim basis since May 2025, ensuring operational continuity while preparing for long-term expansion. At Hyderabad Airport, GMR commissioned the new Cargo Terminal 2 in May 2026, adding an initial handling capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes annually, with scope to double throughput in the future. The facility includes a dedicated temperature-controlled zone for pharmaceutical and perishable cargo, two of the fastest-growing air freight segments. The infrastructure investments translated into higher cargo volumes across GMR’s airport network. Delhi Airport handled a record 1.15 million metric tonnes of cargo during FY26, reinforcing its position as India’s largest air cargo gateway. Hyderabad Airport also achieved its highest-ever annual cargo throughput at approximately 187,000 metric tonnes, reflecting growing demand from exporters, manufacturers, and logistics providers. Beyond cargo, GMR Airports handled a record 121.6 million passengers during FY26 across its portfolio, underscoring the continued recovery and expansion of India’s aviation sector. Strong traffic growth, combined with improved operational efficiencies and increasing non-aeronautical revenues, helped drive EBITDA up 47 percent to a record ₹61.5 billion. The company’s flagship assets also delivered robust performances. Delhi Airport recorded significant earnings growth and returned to profitability, while Hyderabad Airport posted its highest profit since FY20. Both airports benefited from higher passenger traffic, growing cargo volumes, and enhanced commercial activity. As India’s air cargo market continues to expand, airport operators are increasingly investing in specialised freight infrastructure to capture growth opportunities. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
The cargo terminal at the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram is expected to become operational between August and September, shortly after commercial flight services begin at the airport, according to project officials. Civil construction of the cargo facility is nearing completion, with warehouse works currently in the final stage. The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to inaugurate the airport in July. Officials associated with the project said more than 98% of the airport infrastructure has already been completed. Spread across around 5,000 square metres, the cargo terminal has been designed to handle nearly 25,000 metric tonnes of freight annually. The facility is expected to support the movement of pharmaceuticals, seafood, perishables, textiles, engineering goods, electronics and e-commerce shipments. Industry stakeholders say the terminal will primarily cater to high-value and time-sensitive cargo requiring faster delivery cycles and cold-chain support. The development is significant for the Visakhapatnam region, which plays a major role in India’s seafood exports. A substantial share of shrimp exports to the United States originates from the region, and exporters have long sought faster air connectivity to reduce transit time for premium seafood and pharmaceutical products. To improve connectivity to the airport, authorities are accelerating work on road infrastructure, including a dedicated trumpet interchange linking the airport directly with National Highway 16. These road projects are expected to be completed by the end of June to facilitate cargo movement once operations commence. Andhra Pradesh currently contributes about 5% of India’s exports, with shipments valued at around $21 billion annually across more than 2,100 commodities exported to nearly 194 countries, according to project-related estimates.The airport’s cargo infrastructure is also expected to support industrial investments planned across Andhra Pradesh. Several large-scale projects in and around Visakhapatnam, including proposed data centres, steel manufacturing facilities and green hydrogen projects, are likely to increase demand for rapid transport of specialised machinery, electronic equipment and precision components. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Alaska Air Cargo has strengthened its international logistics footprint with the launch of a new daily freight corridor connecting London Heathrow and Seattle, marking a significant milestone in the carrier’s expanding transatlantic operations. The new route, operated in partnership with Alaska Airlines’ passenger services, is expected to enhance cargo connectivity between Europe and the U.S. Pacific Northwest while creating additional opportunities for shippers moving high-value and time-sensitive goods. The London-Seattle service officially commenced on May 21, 2026, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured for long-haul international operations. The route links Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Alaska Airlines’ primary global gateway, with London Heathrow (LHR), one of the world’s busiest cargo and passenger hubs. For the air cargo industry, the launch represents more than a passenger network expansion. The route is expected to support growing trade volumes between the United Kingdom and the U.S. West Coast, particularly across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, aerospace components, e-commerce shipments, and technology products. Seattle’s strategic position as a gateway to North America and Asia further strengthens the corridor’s importance for international supply chains. Alaska Air Cargo stated that the daily service will provide customers with improved freight capacity, faster transit times, and enhanced network reliability. The airline is positioning the new route as part of its broader strategy to build Seattle into a leading intercontinental hub with stronger global cargo connectivity. The move follows Alaska Airlines’ recent international expansion efforts, including new routes to Rome and Reykjavík, as the carrier accelerates long-haul growth after integrating widebody aircraft into its fleet. Industry analysts view the London-Seattle corridor as a strategic addition amid rising demand for direct transatlantic cargo services. Heathrow remains a critical logistics gateway for European freight forwarding and international trade, while Seattle serves as a major center for technology, manufacturing, retail distribution, and seafood exports. The daily frequency is expected to offer supply chain stakeholders greater scheduling flexibility and more consistent cargo uplift capacity. The Boeing 787-9 aircraft operating the route also provides improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions compared to older-generation long-haul aircraft, aligning with growing sustainability priorities across the logistics and aviation sectors. Airlines globally are increasingly leveraging modern widebody fleets to balance operational efficiency with environmental targets. The launch also intensifies competition in the Seattle international aviation market, where carriers are expanding long-haul operations to capture premium passenger and cargo demand. Alaska Airlines has announced plans to further develop its international network from Seattle, targeting at least 12 intercontinental destinations by 2030. With daily connectivity between London and Seattle now in place, Alaska Air Cargo is expected to strengthen its position in the transatlantic freight market while offering logistics providers and exporters an additional route option for moving goods efficiently between Europe and North America. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
