On an ordinary evening at Delhi’s bustling cargo terminal, something extraordinary was unfolding. The Air India cargo team, full of anticipation and focus, prepared for a landmark achievement—their first international airport-to-door delivery of life-saving pharmaceuticals.

The destination? A warehouse in Brussels, Belgium—a city not directly served by Air India’s passenger or cargo network. The mission? Deliver six tonnes of temperature-sensitive medications for SUN Pharma, a leading name in specialty generics. And the deadline? Just 36 hours from India to Europe—no compromises.

Precision Logistics in Motion
This wasn’t just about loading cargo and handing it off. Pharmaceuticals demand uncompromising precision, especially when the integrity of the drugs depends on maintaining a strict 15 to 25°C temperature range throughout transit. Air India’s cargo team handled the challenge head-on, utilizing GDP-compliant procedures from start to finish.

From Delhi, the pallets were carefully loaded into the aircraft’s lower deck and flown to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Upon arrival, a cool Road Feeder Service (RFS) truck—coordinated with local logistics partners—took over, ensuring the temperature remained stable as the shipment made its final leg by road to Brussels.

Exactly 36 hours later, the pharmaceuticals arrived safely at their destination warehouse—potent, protected, and precisely on time.

“These first shipments of our new airport-to-door service is a step forward in progressively pivoting our cargo offering from ‘airport-to-airport’ to world-class ‘airport-to-door’ services, delivered to the highest standards. It’s not just about getting it there, it’s about getting it there right – with precision,” said Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo at Air India.

In 2024-25, Air India moved over 4,000 tonnes of pharma goods globally. Going forward, airport-to-door deliveries will be a key part of its cargo business growth, creating more opportunities.