Air India SATS Unlocks New Cargo Opportunities At Noida Airport Through Strategic Freight Deals

Written By: Binoy Mehera

Binoy Mehera

A curious mind driven by a passion for storytelling, I find inspiration in uncovering hidden perspectives, exploring diverse experiences, and shaping ideas into narratives that leave an impact. With three years of experience in journalism and content creation, I have developed a strong instinct for identifying meaningful stories, blending research with creativity, and presenting information in a way that connects with readers. My storytelling journey is guided by a fascination for culture, travel, lifestyle, and the human experiences that define our world. I aim to create narratives that not only inform but also spark curiosity, evoke emotions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of every story.

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August 21, 2026 12:42 PM

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Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) is committed to rapid air cargo development at the Noida International Airport (NIA). There are two actions that AISATS has established with SpiceXpress Logistics Private Limited and Totsol Aviation Private Limited (both part of the Total Solutions Network), at the 2026 ACFI World Conclave in New Delhi, to grow air cargo business. The actions seek to establish the first operations of freighter to NIA and build cargo capacity and connectivity through AISATS Multi Modal Cargo Hub (MMCH).

The collaboration with Spicexpress will focus on developing dedicated livestock freighter services from the AISATS cargo terminal at Noida International Airport. As part of the proposed plan, Spicexpress is expected to operate nearly 200 freighter movements between September 2026 and August 2027, creating a specialised cargo corridor for livestock transportation.

The location of the AISATS cargo facility provides a strategic advantage due to its proximity to major livestock-producing regions, particularly Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. This positioning is expected to reduce transportation time, improve supply chain efficiency and enable quicker delivery of shipments to domestic and international destinations.

The AISATS Multi Modal Cargo Hub is being developed as an integrated logistics platform equipped with modern infrastructure and digital cargo management systems. The facility is designed to support seamless cargo movement, faster processing and improved coordination between different stakeholders, helping position Noida International Airport as an emerging gateway for global trade.

Meanwhile, the agreement with Totsol Aviation will focus on evaluating the potential for both scheduled and non-scheduled cargo freighter services operating from NIA. The partnership aims to explore new opportunities for increasing cargo flight capacity as airport operations gradually expand.

The development comes at a crucial stage for Noida International Airport as cargo activities begin gaining momentum. By bringing additional freighter capabilities and improving connectivity options, AISATS aims to support the airport’s role as a key logistics hub serving northern India and international markets.

The new partnerships underline the growing importance of dedicated air cargo infrastructure in India’s aviation sector. With expanding freight networks, advanced cargo facilities and stronger industry collaborations, Noida International Airport is set to play a significant role in improving the country’s air logistics ecosystem.

Mr. Ramanathan Rajamani, CEO, Air India SATS, said: “The AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub is positioned to support more efficient and predictable movement of livestock consignments to both domestic and international markets. The hub also offers the flexibility needed in handling non-scheduled operations. Livestock freighter capacity is central to the growth of the overall industry, and we will act as a catalyst to further enhance it by reducing the timeframe. Our technology-led infrastructure automates multiple processes which make it a reliable gateway for all sorts of cargo needs.”

He Further added, “The specialised infrastructure at our state-of-the- art facility has been designed to ensure optimal cargo conditions and uphold the highest quality standards across the supply chain. With digitally integrated operations and advanced automation at its core, the facility is equipped to provide a dependable and efficient gateway for specialised as well as general cargo. With partners like Spicexpress, Total Solutions and Noida International Airport, we are confident that this hub will strengthen the link between India’s livestock-producing regions and global destinations and play an  important role in connecting North India’s cargo markets to global destination.”

Mr. Amit Chadha, Head of SpiceXpress & VP – Spicexpress and Logistics Private Limited, added: “This MOU partnership with AISATS is about creating a dependable operating model for a category of cargo where consistency matters as much as connectivity. Livestock movements require careful coordination across the journey, and dedicated freighter capacity gives us greater control over how these shipments are planned and handled. Our objective is to build a sustainable operation from the AISATS MMCH, with the right processes and scale to serve the requirements of customers across the region. The dedicated and specialized facilities at terminal will enable safe and healthy storage & carriage of livestock”. 

Sandeep Datta, Managing Director, Total Solutions Group, added: ” Our focus is on developing cargo propositions that are commercially viable, responsive to market demand and supported by strong engagement with airlines, freight forwarders and the wider cargo community. Through this collaboration with AISATS, we aim to bring our market knowledge, cargo development capabilities and operational experience to help build sustainable freighter connectivity from Noida International Airport. We will work closely with our partners to identify viable trade lanes, aggregate cargo demand and develop both scheduled and non-scheduled freighter opportunities that can progressively strengthen connectivity for customers across North India.”

Christoph Schnellmann, Vice Chairman, Noida International Airport, further mentioned: “The AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub brings world-class cargo infrastructure and operational capabilities to Noida International Airport. A strong cargo ecosystem is built on infrastructure, partners and connectivity. The proposed livestock freighter operations with Spicexpress highlight the versatility of the facility and its ability to support specialised cargo segments. As cargo demand continues to evolve, initiatives such as this will help maximise the potential of the hub and strengthen Noida International Airport’s strategic importance for cargo operators seeking efficient and reliable logistics solutions. This collaboration with Totsol Aviation highlights the versatility and capability of the facility to support a wide range of cargo operations while creating additional connectivity options for customers. We believe initiatives such as these will contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth of air cargo traffic through NIA.”

The partnership between AISATS, Spicexpress and Total Solutions is set to enhance cargo capabilities at Noida International Airport (NIA) by introducing stronger handling procedures, smoother terminal operations and a more efficient framework for the movement of shipments. The collaboration will support the growth of the AISATS Multi Modal Cargo Hub (MMCH) as a major freighter facility equipped to manage a wide range of cargo categories, including specialised shipments such as livestock.

As Noida International Airport continues to attract more cargo operators and expand its logistics ecosystem, freight activity is expected to grow consistently in the coming years. The increasing freighter capacity and improved cargo infrastructure will further strengthen NIA’s position as an important hub in India’s air cargo network, connecting regional production centres with domestic and international markets.