New Delhi, August 24, 2026: Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) has
entered into two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Spicexpress Logistics
Private Limited (Spicexpress) and Totsol Aviation Private Limited (A Total Solutions Group
Company) to explore and develop freighter operations at the AISATS Multi Modal Cargo Hub
(MMCH) at Noida International Airport (NIA). The agreements were signed at the ACFI
World Conclave 2026 in New Delhi.
The agreement with Spicexpress lays the groundwork for livestock freighter operations from
AISATS’ cargo terminal at NIA, where the company is planning to operate approximately 200
freighters between September 2026 and August 2027. The initiative leverages the AISATS
Cargo Terminal’s strategic proximity to major livestock-producing regions, like Uttar Pradesh
and Haryana, thus enabling cargo to reach its final destinations in a shorter time span. The
integrated infrastructure of the hub further enables faster and digitally coordinated cargo
movement, acting as a gateway to international markets.
Under the MOU with Total Solutions, AISATS plans to explore the feasibility of scheduled
and non-scheduled cargo freighter operations from Noida International Airport. It’s a timely
move for the AISATS Multi Modal Cargo Hub, adding freighter capacity and connectivity at
NIA just as cargo operations there start to ramp up.
Mr. 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. Livestock freighter capacity is central to the
growth of the overall industry, and we will act as a catalyst to further enhance it by reducing
the timeframe. Our technology-led infrastructure automates multiple processes which make
it a reliable gateway for all sorts of cargo needs.”
He Further added, “The specialised infrastructure at our state-of-the- art facility has been
designed to ensure optimal cargo conditions and uphold the highest quality standards across
the supply chain. With digitally integrated operations and advanced automation at its core,
the facility is equipped to provide a dependable and efficient gateway for specialised as well
as general cargo. With partners like Spicexpress, Total Solutions and Noida International
Airport, we are confident that this hub will strengthen the link between India’s livestock-
producing regions and global destinations and play an important role in connecting North
India’s cargo markets to global destination.”
Mr. Amit Chadha, Head of SpiceXpress & VP – Spicexpress and Logistics Private
Limited, added: “This MOU partnership with AISATS is about creating a dependable
operating model for a category of cargo where consistency matters as much as connectivity.
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 MMCH, with the
right processes and scale to serve the requirements of customers across the region. The
dedicated and specialized facilities at terminal will enable safe and healthy storage &
carriage of livestock”.
Sandeep Datta, Managing Director, Total Solutions Group, added: ” 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 with AISATS, we aim to bring our market knowledge,
cargo development capabilities and operational experience to help build sustainable freighter
connectivity from Noida International Airport. We will work closely with our partners to
identify viable trade lanes, aggregate cargo demand and develop both scheduled and non-
scheduled freighter opportunities that can progressively strengthen connectivity for
customers across North India.”
Christoph Schnellmann, Vice Chairman, Noida International Airport, further
mentioned: “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. As cargo demand continues to evolve, initiatives such as this will help maximise
the potential of the hub and strengthen Noida International Airport’s strategic importance for
cargo operators seeking efficient and reliable logistics solutions. The collaboration with
Totsol Aviation highlights the versatility and capability of the facility to support a wide range
of cargo operations while creating additional connectivity options for customers. We believe
initiatives such as these will contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth of air cargo
traffic through NIA.”
The collaboration between AISATS and Spicexpress and Total Solutions is expected to
strengthen cargo operations at Noida International Airport (NIA) by establishing robust cargo
handling protocols, streamlined terminal processes, and an efficient operating framework to
support seamless movement of goods. It also supports the development of the AISATS Multi
Modal Cargo Hub (MMCH) as a leading freighter hub capable of handling specialised and
general cargo, including livestock. As NIA continues to attract additional cargo carriers,
freighter volumes are expected to witness steady growth with freighter volumes are expected
to increase steadily over the next few years, further strengthening the airport’s role in India’s
air cargo landscape.
