Open skies, seamless corridors: GMR’s vision to make Bhogapuram India’s next cargo hub

How do you define the Open Sky Policy in the Indian context, and what policy reforms are needed to permit foreign cargo carriers to operate from multiple airports within a state? In what ways could this help Andhra Pradesh establish itself as a leading cargo hub?

Open sky policy refers to a regime wherein there is unrestricted access to one’s market within passenger and / or cargo services such as in India, Non-Schedule Freighters being allowed to operate from any airport in India. This allows Indian Economy to work efficiently to cater to global supply chains with necessary equipment and supply at the airside for optimum gains. With this Andhra can attract global freighter companies, which is needed for a Hub creation and to sustain air traffic demand, as and when required, for fulfilling the global supply chain emitting from fast growing industrial infra in the state given the fact that Andhra Pradesh’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate for the fiscal year 2023-24 was 10.44 per cent (at current prices). For the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025- 26, the state registered a growth of 10.50 per cent, surpassing the nation al GDP growth of 8.80 per cent.

Global hubs like Dubai and Singapore have successfully built integrated air–sea logistics ecosystems. Are there any Indian airports that have adopted a similar model?

For a global hub such as Dubai and more specifically to DWC – Al Maktoum International Airport, there is a well-established logistics connection between DWC and Jebel Ali Port, this integration establishes Dubai “Sea-Air Hub,” facilitating unified, bonded transfers of goods. Aforesaid dedicated corridor establishes the fact of Dubai’s infrastructure and strategic location to create a powerful multimodal hub, allowing cargo to move efficiently between the port and the airport, often within hours for critical shipments. This can be replicated here between Bhogapuram and Vizag Port for greater synergies. And therefore Air-Sea model is a proven method to reduce cost and time for an agile supply chain system. And all such airports which are close to sea ports have built in this facility and product to aid the trade. With its geographic advantage, on the east coast of India (with major productions powerhouses – Electronic, Engineering, RMG, Sea Food etc. in SE Asia) – Bhogapuram could be the next biggest proponent of the same. In fact, with it advantage of ‘Green Field Terminal’ it is rightly poised to become the leading Air to Sea port of the country. Further proximity to sea port while being advantageous can also be the catalyst for growth and geography plays a key part. As we know that inland ports – CFS / ICDs play the same role as a sea port. And therefore, we need to ensure that we are adequately connected to the same via multi-modal chains or multimodal logistics parks. Therefore, looking at the success of SIN, HKG, DXB etc. we must have a smooth, IT driven TP process with regulatory support to fulfil multimodal TP module.

What steps should be taken to create internationally recognized certification hubs within India?

 The pharmaceutical industry is India’s pride, and it needs logistics that meet the same global standards. To be credible as a certification hub, we must combine three elements. First, certified infrastructure at airports i.e., GDP and CEIVcompliant pharma zones, multi-temperature warehouses, segregated docks, and continuous monitoring. At Hyderabad, GMR already operates a dedicated Pharma Zone that meets WHO and GDP standards. Second, on-site accredited testing. Today exporters often wait for off-site labs or even overseas validation. By setting up NABL or Central Drug Testing Laboratory satellite units inside the cargo precinct, we can deliver certification in 24–48 hours right where shipments are accepted. And third, end-to-end certification. Airlines, handlers and terminals all need to be part of the same CEIV or GDP-certified lane. The good news is the momentum is already there, Air India recently obtained GDP certification, and several handlers have CEIV-certified facilities in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The opportunity for India is to scale what Hyderabad has pioneered i.e., replicate pharma zones at other airports, bring accredited labs on campus, and certify entire supply chain lanes. That will firmly position India as a trusted global hub for pharma exports. We need to ensure our process of manufacturing withstands any scrutiny at any juncture without fail. This will ensure the quality that we guarantee across the board. And while we adopt globally acclaimed certifications such as CEIV and GDP which are of global standards, we must include our own quality standards and be open to external audits in our Foreign Trade agreements such as FTAs etc. This will ensure quality standards at overall levels, and acceptance thereof, also giving opportunity to buyers to assess their own needs. This will ensure customer confidence and aid towards internationally recognized certification hubs within India.

Do we currently have any airport–seaport corridors in India that allow seamless, time-bound cargo transfers?

Yes, as noted above, some traffic does exist but we do not have dedicated infra just for air to sea cargo. We must create dedicated TP lanes for such shipment for faster and efficient movement under custom bond for the same. Imagine this lane could service a pharma shipment which is not only timebound but critical to save a life. For example, in 2010, in Delhi during commonwealth games, there were many such corridors created, on existing roads for games buses to travel within city without any hindrance. Bhogapuram can be a pilot project to create this kind of a facility and be a global hub. Greenfield airports like Bhogapuram give us a chance to design them from day one. The masterplan already includes a cargo village, and the state is planning highways and ring roads that link ports directly. If we add bonded logistics land, digital customs integration, and secure commitments from an anchor integrator, Bhogapuram can be India’s first real sea-air hub for exports like seafood, pharma and perishables. It’s about vision and Bhogapuram has all the ingredients to make that vision work.

How can the industry minimize handling points, while ensuring higher safety and still promoting multimodal efficiency?

Every time cargo is handled, the risk of damage or temperature excursion increases. The solution is simple i.e., fewer handovers & stronger custody.