Bengaluru airport has widened its lead over Chennai in air cargo handling, driven by strong growth in international freight handling.

The shift marks a reversal from a year ago when Chennai was marginally ahead in international cargo. Industry sources attributed better infrastructure connectivity to Bengaluru’s all round performance.

In May 2025, Chennai handled 28,208 tonnes of international cargo, slightly higher than Bengaluru’s 27,992 tonnes. By May 2026, however, Bengaluru has overtaken its southern rival with 31,652 tonnes, while Chennai handled 29,721 tonnes, according to Airports Authority of India (AAI) data.

The gap has steadily widened over the past year, with Bengaluru’s international cargo growing 13.1 per cent year-on-year in May compared with Chennai’s 5.4 per cent. The trend was also evident in April, when Bengaluru recorded 11.6 per cent growth against Chennai’s 9.3 per cent.

Bengaluru also maintained a commanding lead in domestic cargo.

Third Highest

Domestic freight carried by the Bengaluru airport rose 17.1 per cent year-on-year to 17,578 tonnes in May, while Chennai recorded an 8 per cent increase to 9,015 tonnes.

Nationally, Bengaluru retained its position as India’s third-largest air cargo airport after Delhi and Mumbai, while Chennai ranked fourth.

The divergence in growth has significantly expanded the gap between the two airports.

Manufacturing Prowess

Bengaluru handled nearly 10,500 tonnes more cargo than Chennai in May 2026, reflecting its growing importance as a gateway for international and high-value shipments, while Chennai posted more moderate growth across both international and domestic segments, industry sources said.

Bengaluru’s emergence as one of India’s fastest-growing air freight hubs is supported by rising exports of electronics, smartphones, semiconductors, aerospace components, pharmaceuticals and other high-value products. The city’s expanding manufacturing ecosystem, growing e-commerce distribution network and increasing international freighter connectivity have further strengthened its position in the country’s air cargo network, said sources.

Chennai, traditionally one of India’s largest cargo gateways, continues to benefit from exports of automobiles, engineering goods, industrial machinery and leather products, sources said.

Robust Growth

Some export cargo from the automobile and electronics manufacturing clusters around Sriperumbudur and Oragadam is increasingly being moved by bonded trucks to Bengaluru to be flown out, attracted by better flight connectivity and cargo capacity, said an official of a large freight forwarding company.

“The ground infrastructure efficiency combined with superior connectivity has ensured Bengaluru’s robust growth,” said J. Krishnan, Partner, S. Natesa Iyer Logistics LLP.

“Cargo capacity, especially freighter capacity available at Bengaluru, has offered more competitive pricing for both outbound and inbound cargoes. In addition, cargo originating from western and southern Tamil Nadu increasingly prefers the Bengaluru gateway for exports,” he said.

Integrated Ecosystem

Sharmindar Saravanan, Managing Director of SSK Smart Move Logistics Pvt. Ltd., attributed Bengaluru airport’s success to its long-term strategy of developing an integrated airport ecosystem rather than merely expanding aviation infrastructure.

“Chennai, despite serving one of India’s largest manufacturing and export regions, has been slower in infrastructure expansion and commercial execution. That has enabled Bengaluru to steadily strengthen its lead in both passenger and cargo traffic,” he said.

Published on July 16, 2026