Hyderabad and Brussels Airports Sign MoU to Explore New Air Cargo Links with Europe

Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) and Brussels Airport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore stronger air cargo connectivity between Hyderabad and Europe.

The agreement is exploratory. It does not commit either airport to launching new flights or services, and no timeline has been announced. Instead, the two sides will jointly study whether a Hyderabad–Brussels cargo route is commercially viable.

Under the MoU, the airports will cooperate on route development, market intelligence, cargo handling practices and engagement with industry stakeholders. They will assess market demand and commodity flows together, and prepare business cases for potential cargo connectivity between the two cities. The airports will also hold discussions with airlines, freight forwarders and others in the logistics chain to identify possible new services.

Kadhir Kadhiravan, CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited, which operates RGIA, said the collaboration would strengthen the airport's ability to connect with the wider European cargo ecosystem and support its ambition to build a more globally integrated cargo network. He said bringing together market expertise, industry partnerships and complementary strengths could create new opportunities for businesses in Hyderabad and the surrounding region, and reinforce the airport's role in India's international trade corridors.

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said his airport had built a strong ecosystem and extensive expertise in pharmaceutical logistics as a preferred hub for pharma and life sciences in Europe. Combined with Hyderabad's life sciences ecosystem, he said, this created valuable opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange.

The two cities have notable strengths in health-related industries. Hyderabad is one of India's largest centres for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, while Brussels Airport has positioned itself as a gateway for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments in Europe. Such cargo typically requires cold-chain facilities, careful handling and short transit times, and both airports say they see scope for sharing expertise in this area.

Air cargo is an important channel for high-value and time-sensitive goods, including medicines, vaccines, medical devices, electronics and perishable produce. For exporters in Telangana and neighbouring states, a better-connected cargo route to Europe could reduce transit times and handling costs. Any such service, however, would depend on commercial decisions by airlines, available capacity and regulatory approvals in both countries.

The agreement comes amid wider efforts to expand trade and logistics links between India and the European Union, which is among India's largest trading partners. Negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two sides have been under way for several years, though a deal has not yet been concluded.

Neither airport has indicated when the joint studies will be completed or when a first cargo service might begin. The MoU sets up a framework for cooperation rather than a commercial agreement, and any new route would ultimately be launched by an airline based on its own assessment of demand. For now, the two airports have said they will continue consultations with freight forwarders, exporters and carriers before taking any decision.