Mumbai, Aug. 26 -- Under the agreements, AISATS will expand livestock exports and develop scheduled and non-scheduled freighter operations from NIA.
Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt. Ltd (AISATS) has signed two separate MoUs with Spicexpress Logistics Pvt. Ltd (Spicexpress) and Totsol Aviation Pvt. Ltd, a Total Solutions Group firm, to develop freighter operations at the AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub at Noida International Airport (NIA).
The MoU with Spicexpress lays the groundwork for livestock freighter operations from AISATS' cargo terminal at NIA, with plans to operate about 200 freighters between September 2026 and August 2027. Leveraging the hub's proximity to livestock-producing regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, the initiative aims to shorten transit times and provide faster, digitally coordinated cargo movement to international markets.
Under the MoU with Total Solutions, AISATS will explore the feasibility of scheduled and non-scheduled cargo freighter operations from NIA. This is expected to enhance freighter capacity and connectivity as cargo operations ramp up.
Ramanathan Rajamani, CEO, Air India SATS, said, "The AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub is positioned to support more efficient and predictable movement of livestock consignments to both domestic and international markets. The hub also offers the flexibility needed in handling non-scheduled operations. We are confident that this hub will strengthen the link between India's livestock-producing regions and global destinations."
Amit Chadha, Head of SpiceXpress & Vice President, SpiceXpress and Logistics, added, "Livestock movements require careful coordination across the journey, and dedicated freighter capacity gives us greater control over how these shipments are planned and handled. Our objective is to build a sustainable operation from the AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub, with the right processes and scale to serve customers across the region."
Sandeep Datta, Managing Director, Total Solutions Group, noted, "Our focus is on developing cargo propositions that are commercially viable, responsive to market demand and supported by strong engagement with airlines, freight forwarders and the wider cargo community. Through this collaboration, we aim to identify viable trade lanes, aggregate cargo demand and develop both scheduled and non-scheduled freighter opportunities."
Christoph Schnellmann, Vice Chairman, Noida International Airport, observed, "The AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub brings world-class cargo infrastructure and operational capabilities to Noida International Airport. A strong cargo ecosystem is built on infrastructure, partners and connectivity. The proposed livestock freighter operations with Spicexpress highlight the versatility of the facility and its ability to support specialised cargo segments."
The collaboration between AISATS, Spicexpress and Total Solutions is expected to strengthen cargo operations at NIA by establishing robust handling protocols, streamlined terminal processes and an efficient operating framework. It supports the development of the AISATS MMCH as a leading freighter facility capable of handling specialised and general cargo, including livestock. With NIA attracting additional carriers, freighter volumes are projected to grow steadily, reinforcing the airport's role in India's air cargo landscape.
The agreements were signed at the Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI)'s World Conclave 2026 in New Delhi.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Infrastructure Today.