Impact of Covid-19 on Air Cargo Movement in India

The Covid-19 pandemic caused the most severe disruption ever
experienced by India's air cargo sector. The suspension of passenger
flights in March 2020 eliminated approximately 60-70% of international
cargo capacity overnight, while demand for medicines, PPE, and essential
goods surged simultaneously. This paper examines how the pandemic
affected air cargo movement in India, covering operational disruptions,
freight rate volatility, cargo volume changes, government response, and
recovery strategies. A case study of Blue Dart Aviation, India's only
dedicated freighter airline, is used to illustrate how a prepared,
infrastructure-rich operator navigated the crisis. The study is based
entirely on secondary data: DGCA statistics, IATA reports, Ministry of
Civil Aviation publications, and academic literature. Findings reveal a
22% decline in total cargo volumes in FY 2020-21, a 200-400% freight
rate surge on international routes, and lasting structural changes including
accelerated digital adoption, cold chain investment, and growth of
dedicated freighter capacity.