Strategic capacity boost reflects India’s rising global trade clout and growing demand from key export markets
As India’s export economy scales new heights, global logistics players are rapidly adapting to keep pace. The latest signal of this shift: UPS has launched an additional Boeing 747-8 freighter flight connecting Delhi to Cologne, Germany, effectively doubling its cargo capacity on the key India–Europe route.
This expanded air link is more than just added tonnage—it’s a strategic move designed to match India’s growing importance in global trade corridors, particularly with Europe and the United States, two of its largest export markets.
“Across Europe and worldwide, there is growing demand for high-quality goods from India from a range of sectors,” said Daniel Carrera, President, UPS Europe, Middle East, Africa & India. “This expansion of our global air network will create new opportunities for European consumers, as well as for Indian businesses looking to export.”
Tapping Into India’s Export Momentum
India’s exports have experienced sustained acceleration, crossing record thresholds in 2024. Sectors such as automotive, industrial manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare are leading the charge, supported by policy reforms, manufacturing incentives, and better access to global markets.
The European Union has emerged as India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral goods trade surpassing USD 137 billion in FY 2023–24. The United States remains a cornerstone of India’s export success, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive goods.
The New Delhi–Cologne flight offers a timely and targeted solution. By enhancing connectivity between India’s manufacturing heartland and UPS’s Cologne global hub, it ensures rapid, reliable transit into Europe—and seamless onward connections into UPS’s North American network, including last-mile delivery in the U.S.
Cologne: A Strategic Gateway
Cologne is not just a European sorting facility—it’s a pivotal node in UPS’s multi-continent cargo ecosystem. From Cologne, shipments move directly into Europe’s most expansive ground delivery network and link into transatlantic routes reaching across the U.S. and Canada.
This end-to-end connectivity is vital for exporters of high-value and time-sensitive goods such as healthcare products, electronics, and e-commerce parcels. The move also supports late pickup cutoffs and faster customs clearance—key advantages for Indian exporters under tight production timelines.
“This additional flight allows us to give Indian businesses of all sizes and industries the fast and reliable service to help them grow and stay competitive,” said Grégory Goba-Blé, Head of UPS India and Director, MOVIN Express.
E-Commerce and Flexibility: A Competitive Edge
With rising cross-border e-commerce volumes, UPS is tailoring services to meet evolving customer needs. Indian businesses can now leverage Saturday Standard delivery across eight major European markets—without any additional charge. This enhanced delivery flexibility is a strong value proposition for SMEs and direct-to-consumer brands targeting Europe’s affluent, time-sensitive buyers.
Moreover, UPS Global Checkout, a tech-enabled platform for international e-commerce, allows Indian sellers to offer transparent landed cost calculation and localized payment options—removing friction from the online buying process for global consumers.
Strengthening India’s Domestic and International Logistics Fabric
The new flight comes amid broader infrastructure investments by UPS across India. The company recently expanded its Delhi gateway, nearly doubling its processing capacity and improving handling times. Additional developments include:
- A larger gateway facility in Bengaluru
- A temperature-controlled cross-dock facility in Hyderabad, dedicated to healthcare logistics
- A growing network under MOVIN—a UPS and InterGlobe JV—connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to global trade lanes
These assets are especially crucial for India’s pharmaceutical and life sciences exports, where temperature integrity and compliance are mission-critical.
The GDP-certified cross-border capability, bolstered by UPS Premier for time- and temperature-sensitive goods, positions UPS as a high-trust logistics partner for India’s pharmaceutical sector—a rapidly expanding pillar of the economy.
Technology at the Core
Beyond physical infrastructure, UPS is embedding digital intelligence into its India operations. Its technology development center in Chennai is leading efforts to localize tools, optimize operations, and innovate on last-mile visibility and shipment control.
“Thanks to our investments we can make logistics a competitive advantage, offering unmatched choice, convenience, and control,” said Goba-Blé.
A New Era for Indian Trade
The timing of UPS’s expansion aligns with India’s long-term ambitions to become a global manufacturing and export powerhouse. Logistics, once seen as a constraint, is now evolving into a key enabler.
“We welcome this new capacity at Delhi Airport and are proud to support UPS in delivering vital global connections for Indian businesses to Europe, the United States, and beyond,” said Sanjiv Edward, CEO, GMR Cargo.
With the addition of this flight, Delhi strengthens its position as a critical export gateway, and Indian businesses gain a more agile and responsive air cargo link to two of the world’s most influential trade regions.
