Chennai Overtakes Bengaluru to Rank 3rd in International Air Cargo Traffic
In a significant development, Chennai Airport has recorded strong growth in international air cargo handling, surpassing Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to claim the third position in the country.
According to data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Chennai Airport handled 1,66,440 tonnes of international cargo between April and September, the first half of the 2026 financial year. Bengaluru, during the same period, handled 1,65,899 tonnes, placing the difference at just 541 tonnes.
Major Growth Compared to Previous Year
The growth marks a notable improvement for Chennai. During the first half of the previous financial year (2024), Chennai handled 1,45,149 tonnes, while Bengaluru managed 1,61,963 tonnes - a much larger gap of 16,814 tonnes.
This year, Chennai recorded a 15% growth rate, compared to Bengaluru’s 2.4%, significantly narrowing the difference and enabling Chennai to climb to the third position.
Key Drivers of Growth
Chennai Airport Director M. Raja Kishore, in an interview with Business Line, stated that the airport has seen strong progress in cargo exports, driven mainly by the automobile and electronics sectors. He added that this growth highlights the need for expansion at the Chennai Airport.
National Rankings
1st – Delhi Airport: 3,68,359 tonnes
2nd – Mumbai Airport
3rd – Chennai Airport
4th – Bengaluru Airport
5th – Hyderabad Airport
With continued industrial activity and recent land acquisition of 1,000 acres, Chennai Airport’s cargo handling capacity is expected to strengthen further in the coming years.
