- The growth of rapid warehouses that feed the air cargo: The logistics sector in India witnessed an increase of 42 % year on an annual basis in H1 2025, driven by manufacturing groups in Mumbai, Bonnie, and Chennai, which enhances high -value shipments, and continues for time for pharmaceutical preparations, electrons, and automatic export.
- Class A and ready -made facilities for automation: 63 per cent of new warehouse spaces meet grade A, which provides faster accumulation of goods, automation preparation, compliance with international protocols, and energy -saving designs that are in line with ESG goals.
- 3PL, e -commerce, and airport integration: expanding the range of logistical services and e -commerce for e -commerce, benefits from the airport added warehouses, reducing the crossing of the first mile, improving export pieces, and enabling joint empowerment of the enslavement facilities and the cold chain of simplified air operations.
The logistical scene in India undergoes a structural shift with traces that exceed the real estate sector. The country’s warehouse market recorded 42 percent on an annual basis (YOY) in the leasing activity to 32.1 million square feet in the first half of 2025, according to new data from Knight Frank India. While this growth is the title of analysts of property, its real importance lies in how to enhance the backbone of supply chains in India-next, its ability to accelerate the charging of the critical time through the air freight sector flows.
The latest figures indicate more than periodic recovery. They suggest that the industrial and logistical centers in India enter a stage of coordinated expansion, driven by manufacturing growth, a degree -supporting facilities that support technology, and collect high -value industries around the main airport gates. Together, these trends restore how air cargo operators can design, improve and expand their networks.
Manufacturing at the core of the request
At the heart of the mutation, the absorption of the manufacturing sector of 14.6 million square feet, an increase of 71 percent on an annual basis, represents 45 percent of the total transactions in H1 2025. Primary-energy growth means, cars, chemicals, and chemicals-affected by the accumulation.
This shift is consistent with the wider global supply chain. With the diversity of manufacturers away from China, India appears as a preferred base for production directed towards export. For air cargo industry, these manufacturing groups are not only a larger size of potential shipments but also a file for demand that gives reliability, compliance and rapid transit – areas where integrated ecosystems of warehouses and air can provide a competitive advantage.
The gate cities are integrated
Mumbai, Bonnie, and Chennai have emerged as pioneering markets. Mumbai rented 7.5 million square feet in H1 2025, an increase of 63 percent on an annual basis, partially driven by it near the Chorteati Shevagi International Airport – a pioneering center for pharmacists, internal materials, and fast goods. Pune follows 5.2 million square feet (+76 percent), supported by the export of cars and industrial, while Chennai has published the fastest growth at 4.1 million square feet (+135 percent), and is compatible with its role as an electronics and export gate.
For air cargo, the new first -class storage of these airports reduces truck transportation times in the first mile, improves compliance with export, and is easy to communicate on the same day with global networks. It also corresponds to the goal of the national logistical policy of strengthening the multimedia centers that integrate energy, railways and weather.
Group A and ready -made facilities for automation
The report indicates that 63 percent of the transactions in H1 2025 were for the first -class spaces, up from 54 percent in the previous year, with 75 percent of the new offer, which fulfills this standard. These facilities – which provide higher production efficiency, automation willingness, and better compliance with environmental and safety standards – are by their nature more suitable for dealing with air.
For time -sensitive charges such as medicines, electronics and FMCG, the a a, a, is not only guaranteed to comply with international handling protocols, but also allows the accumulation of goods and customs clearance. With ESG requirements at the global level, energy efficiency and sustainable design will also help air charging operators compatible with ICAO’s CORSA targets and norms to report the sustainability of the European Union.
3lpl and E-Gromercies
Three -party logistics providers (3PL) rented 8.7 million square feet in H1 2025, representing a share of 27 percent of the total demand and an increase of 30 percent on an annual basis. E -commerce rental increased by 61 percent on an annual basis to 3.3 million square feet, which represents a strong recovery in the multi -channel channel distribution models that merge air and land networks.
It is worth noting that Mumbai represents 35 percent of all 3pl rental, as it strengthens its role as a central node to achieve deaths worldwide. As for air cargo, this indicates an increased demand for the rapid and small age capacity, as 3PL operators are increasingly integrated the air conditions in service offers on the same day and the next day.
Emphasis and increased height
The voting rate of the entire India decreased to 12.1 percent from 13.1 percent in the previous year, while rents in all major markets-Mumbai (+4.7 per cent), Colkata (+4.6 per cent), Payon (+3.8 per cent)-reflecting the supply restrictions in highly demanding groups. For goods operators, the increasing rents in the percentage of the airport can explore the long -term rental partnerships, joint development of enslavement facilities, or cooperation between the public and private sectors in airport city projects to secure operational rules.
Owning policy and facilitating trade
This warehouse expansion occurs as well as policy measures that enhance the ability to facilitate India in India. Associated incentives (PLI) plans (PLI), investing in infrastructure under national logistical policy (NLP), and customs modernization alignment to create a more intense environment for export and import.
She also noticed Xher Bigl, Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Frank India:
“The health mutation of the base of the base reflects the expansion of India and consumption in India. With the existence of a 12.1 percent demand for supply and pressure, the sector is preparing for another collapse.”
For the air freight industry, this alignment provides a window to integrate the enslaved handling areas, the temperature -dominated storage, and the ULD accumulation areas designated directly inside the main logistical gardens, reducing the risk of transportation and improving the compliance of the pieces.
The opportunity to charge the strategic air
Industrial and stereotypes in India now exceeded 500 million square feet, as groups are formed towards export in the vicinity of the main airports. The combination of high -value manufacturing, a classroom A, and a supportive policy makes a strong condition to integrate the air charging infrastructure into these centers.
Possible steps include:
Joint Site Models: Create Single Air Conditions Facilities in Logistics Gardens to simplify export operations.
Expand the cold chain: take advantage of the proximity to warehouses – proximity to strengthening medications and intuitive materials.
Digital Integration: Spreading a unified goods community systems that link warehouse management with the airport charging stations in the actual time.
Fast food policy for stakeholders in air freight
The integration of warehouses and air as a competitive lever
Merging charging facilities into emerging logistical centers can reduce transit times in the first mile and improve SLA’s compliance with export.
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