The GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) and Brussels Airport have signed a MoU to strengthen air cargo connectivity between Hyderabad and Europe and explore opportunities for sustained cargo growth.
The collaboration brings together Hyderabad Airport’s expanding cargo capabilities and Brussels Airport’s strong position in the European air cargo ecosystem, creating opportunities to strengthen cargo flows and trade linkages between India and Europe, a GMR release said on Thursday.
The MoU will facilitate cooperation in route development, market intelligence, cargo best practices and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on identifying opportunities to enhance Hyderabad’s connectivity with key European markets, it said.
"Hyderabad’s growing economic base and strategic location position it strongly to serve as a gateway for India’s international trade," said Kadhir Kadhiravan, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.
"Our collaboration with Brussels Airport Company strengthens our ability to connect Hyderabad with the wider European cargo ecosystem and supports our ambition to build a more globally integrated cargo network," he said.
By bringing together market expertise, industry partnerships and complementary strengths, new opportunities for businesses can be created in Hyderabad and across the region while strengthening the airport’s role in India’s international trade corridors, he said.
"With this MoU, we are taking an important step to bring the ecosystems of Brussels Airport and Hyderabad International Airport closer together. By strengthening cargo flows between our regions, we can support trade and economic growth. As Europe's preferred pharma and life sciences hub, Brussels Airport has built a strong ecosystem and extensive expertise in pharmaceutical logistics," said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport.
"Combined with Hyderabad's leading life sciences ecosystem, the MoU creates valuable opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange," he said.
For Hyderabad Airport, the agreement supports its ambition to strengthen its position as a leading international cargo gateway and expand connectivity across key global markets, the release said.
The two airports will jointly assess market demand and commodity flows, develop business cases for potential Hyderabad–Brussels connectivity, and engage with airlines, freight forwarders and other cargo stakeholders.
This will strengthen Hyderabad Airport’s presence within the European cargo ecosystem and create opportunities for both direct and onward connectivity to markets across Europe through Brussels, it said.
The partnership will also facilitate the exchange of market intelligence and international cargo best practices, covering areas such as European cargo trends, route development and airline engagement, it said.
Coupled with coordinated stakeholder outreach, the partnership will help build stronger propositions for potential new services and support the development of commercially viable and sustainable cargo corridors, it said.
Supported by continuous investments in cargo infrastructure and enhanced global connectivity, Hyderabad Airport remains committed to strengthening its position as a leading air cargo hub, facilitating international trade and driving sustainable economic growth, the release added.