GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited has commissioned a second cargo terminal at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, expanding freight handling infrastructure as Hyderabad strengthens its position as a major pharmaceutical and air logistics hub.
The new Cargo Terminal 2, inaugurated on May 18, spans 16,864 square metres and will initially handle around 50,000 metric tonnes of cargo annually. According to the company, the facility has been designed with expansion provisions that could eventually raise capacity to 100,000 metric tonnes per annum.
The development comes amid rising cargo volumes across India’s aviation sector, particularly in pharmaceuticals, perishables, express shipments and e-commerce-linked freight movement. Hyderabad has emerged as one of the country’s key pharma export centres, driving demand for temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure.
GHIAL said the terminal includes separate inbound and outbound cargo zones, dedicated export and import processing areas, multi-level racking systems, and expanded build-up and breakdown spaces to support simultaneous shipment processing.
A major focus of the facility is cold chain handling. The terminal houses a fully temperature-controlled pharma zone equipped with temperature cut-off systems and continuous monitoring technology to support the movement of pharmaceutical and perishable cargo. The company said the infrastructure is aimed at improving cargo integrity while reducing dwell times and speeding up regulatory clearances.
Commenting on the launch, Kadhir Kadhiravan, CEO of GHIAL, said the terminal reflects the airport’s long-term strategy to position Hyderabad as a leading logistics gateway in Asia.
“The commissioning of the second Cargo Terminal 2 is a defining moment for GHIAL and for Hyderabad’s emergence as a leading air cargo and logistics gateway in Asia. This facility is not simply an addition to our infrastructure portfolio — it is a statement of intent,” said Kadhiravan. “We have built the new terminal to serve the most demanding cargo verticals, from life-saving pharmaceuticals to time-critical express consignments, with the precision, speed, and reliability that global supply chains require.”
The airport operator also highlighted improvements in airside-landside connectivity, dedicated road access and power infrastructure as part of the expansion. These measures are expected to improve operational resilience across cargo categories including pharmaceuticals, perishables, express consignments and general freight.
Sanjiv Edward, CEO of GMR Aero Cargo & Logistics, said the new facility would support the broader development of India’s air cargo ecosystem.
“This launch of the new cargo terminal in Hyderabad marks a significant step in strengthening India’s air logistics ecosystem, with GMR Aero - Cargo & Logistics reinforcing its commitment to world-class infrastructure and serving the industry in the region with products that add value to their business,” Edward said.
The terminal also incorporates energy-efficient lighting systems, optimized HVAC design and insulated temperature-controlled areas as part of GHIAL’s sustainability initiatives. A multi-level fire detection and alarm system has also been installed to enhance operational safety.
GMR Airports Limited currently operates several airport assets across India and Southeast Asia, including Delhi, Hyderabad and Goa airports, and handled over 120 million passengers during FY25, according to the company.
Source: https://www.logisticsinsider.in/ghial-opens-new-cargo-terminal-at-hyderabad-airport-to-double-air-freight-capacity/
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