Bengaluru: India’s largest greenfield domestic cargo terminal opens at KIA

India’s largest greenfield domestic cargo terminal has commenced operations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru. The 245,000-square-foot facility, developed by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) in partnership with Menzies Aviation, is designed to handle up to 360,000 tons of cargo annually, with the potential to expand to 400,000 tons.

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Spanning seven acres, the facility is equipped with 42 truck docks, over 400 custom-designed cargo bins, X-ray-integrated conveyors, and 30 ULD build-up and breakdown stations. It also features real-time data capture through 40 hand-held terminals and self-service kiosks to streamline cargo movement and reduce turnaround times.

The terminal incorporates advanced digital solutions, including real-time shipment tracking, data analytics, and improved communication systems using barcodes and QR codes. With dedicated storage for specialized cargo such as perishables, valuables, live animals, dangerous goods, and radioactive materials, the facility strengthens KIA’s position as a critical hub for air cargo.

KIA, already a leading exporter of perishable goods, aims to further boost its cargo handling capacity with this addition. As the third busiest airport in India for passenger and cargo movement, KIA processed 496,227 tons of cargo in 2024 and is expected to surpass 500,000 tons by year-end. Projections indicate that the airport could handle around one million tons annually by the decade’s end.