Speaking on the sidelines of the International Cargo Business Summit in Kochi, S. Suhas, IAS, Managing Director, Cochin International Airport Ltd. shares how CIAL is positioning itself as a critical air cargo gateway for South India, the Middle East, and emerging global markets. From aligning airport strategy with India’s evolving trade ambitions to strengthening cargo infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, and stakeholder collaboration, he outlines a clear vision of how Kochi is preparing for the next phase of trade-led growth. In this interview, he reflects on the changing role of air cargo, the strategic relevance of forums like the Summit, and CIAL’s long-term roadmap to becoming a future-ready cargo hub.
Why was it important for Kochi to host the International Cargo Business Summit 2026 at this stage of global trade?
The International Cargo Business Summit 2026 was held at a moment when global trade and logistics are undergoing a fundamental realignment. Worldwide, air cargo demand has shown remarkable staying power, driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce, the reconfiguration of supply chains and the growing movement of high-value and time-sensitive goods. Even as capacity has stabilised post-pandemic, global air cargo volumes have reached record levels, showing the continuing relevance of aviation-led logistics. For Cochin
International Airport Limited, CIAL, hosting the summit was both timely and deliberate.
The airport already handles close to 60% of Kerala’s air cargo and plays a critical role in connecting India with markets in the Gulf, Africa and parts of Asia. We felt that bringing industry leaders and specialists to CIAL will enable grounded discussion on how regional gateways must respond to shifting trade flows.
From CIAL’s perspective, the summit is not merely an industry event but a platform to align infrastructure planning, regulatory facilitation and technology adoption with emerging global cargo trends.
CIAL has often been positioned as a bridge between India and key international markets. How does the airport’s cargo strategy align with India’s evolving trade agreements and the shifting geographies of global commerce?
CIAL’s cargo strategy is closely aligned with India’s expanding trade engagements, particularly with the European Union, ASEAN countries, the Middle East and Africa. These regions increasingly demand faster, more reliable logistics solutions for high-value exports, perishables and e-commerce shipments, where air cargo plays a decisive role. As India integrates further into global value chains, reducing logistics friction becomes critical to maintaining competitiveness. CIAL benefits from its location and proximity to major seaports, allowing it to function as a natural interface between maritime and air cargo operations.
Our efforts have focused on strengthening cargo facilities and improving regulatory coordination so that cargo can shift smoothly across modes. The ‘Sea-to-Sky logistics model reflects this thinking, positioning Kochi as an efficient passage between ocean freight and time-sensitive air shipments.
From an MD’s standpoint, what would you identify as CIAL’s most distinctive cargo strengths that make it a credible hub in South India?
CIAL’s credibility as a cargo hub is built on a combination of infrastructure scale and strong stakeholder coordination, not to mention the operational efficiency. The airport currently operates around 2.5 lakh square feet of dedicated cargo warehousing and manages nearly 60% of Kerala’s air cargo. Over the years, we have steadily expanded capacity through investments in modern scanning systems, express cargo clearance facilities, advanced reefer infrastructure and specialised handling zones. Equally important is the emphasis on process discipline and digital transformation.
Technology-driven systems have improved transparency, reduced dwell times and enabled predictable cargo movement. Nearly 250 cargo agencies and more than 20 airlines work in close coordination with the CIAL cargo division, supported by strong engagement with customs and regulatory authorities. This cooperative framework allows CIAL to deliver efficiency without compromising on compliance or safety, which is essential for sustaining long-term cargo growth.
Several sessions at the summit focused on air cargo’s role in enabling faster and more reliable trade. How is CIAL preparing its cargo ecosystem to support time-critical segments such as perishables, pharmaceuticals and express cargo?
Time-critical cargo has been central to CIAL’s cargo development strategy. Kochi already handles a substantial volume of perishable exports, including agricultural produce and seafood, making cold-chain reliability a key priority. Significant investments have been made in temperature-controlled storage and handling systems to ensure quality and reduce transit losses for exporters. In the pharmaceutical segment, CIAL has initiated the process of obtaining certification for specialised pharma cargo handling. Once operational, this will allow the airport to cater to high-value pharmaceutical exports that require strict temperature control and regulatory compliance. Express and e-commerce cargo is another rapidly growing segment, and CIAL is strengthening its ecosystem through faster clearance processes, improved digital visibility and closer coordination with logistics partners. The emphasis across all time-critical segments is on speed, predictability and compliance.
Multimodal integration and regulatory facilitation are recurring themes at this event. How is CIAL working with ports, surface transport networks and authorities to ensure smoother end-to-end cargo movement?
Multimodal integration is central to CIAL’s long-term cargo vision because no single mode can efficiently serve modern supply chains in isolation. Kochi’s unique strength lies in its ability to integrate air cargo operations with seaports, road and rail networks and inland waterways. This enables cargo to move in a cost-effective and scalable manner, particularly for export-orientated industries.
CIAL works closely with customs, plant protection authorities, postal services and other regulatory bodies to streamline procedures and reduce transaction costs for EXIM stakeholders. Digital initiatives such as real-time inspections using mobile applications and electronic certification are already reducing paperwork and processing time. At the same time, facilitation is balanced with security and safety, ensuring that faster cargo movement does not compromise national, environmental or aviation standards.
Looking beyond the summit, what is your long-term vision for CIAL’s cargo business over the next five to ten years, and how do you see Kochi evolving as a preferred cargo gateway?
Over the next decade, CIAL’s objective is to position Kochi as a preferred cargo gateway not only for Kerala but also for South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Global air cargo markets are expected to continue expanding, and India is projected to grow faster than the global average due to rising exports, e-commerce and manufacturing activity.
CIAL plans to match this growth through phased capacity expansion and continuous upgrading of infrastructure. Technology adoption will be a key enabler in this journey. Greater use of data analytics, automation and digital platforms will improve planning, responsiveness and cargo visibility.
Alongside infrastructure and technology, deeper multimodal integration will remain a priority. The broader objective is for CIAL to move beyond the role of an airport operator and function as a logistics enabler and support Indian producers in reaching global markets through a dependable and compliant cargo network equipped for the next phase of global trade.
This interview was published in the February edition of the Logistics Insider Magazine. To read more such insightful interactions, click here.
