Story In brief

• Cathay Cargo attends IICS trade event in Delhi to promote expertise
• Due to changing trade flows, India is experiencing increased production from global manufacturers
• SAMEA is experiencing growth trend in time and temperature-sensitive shipments
• Cathay Cargo’s solutions and network are helping to bring consistency and quality to supply chains

Story in full

The region that takes in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa (SAMEA), has a very wide geographical spread and an equally diverse cargo landscape, albeit that the ongoing situation in the Gulf means that the Middle East (ME) ports of Riyadh and Dubai are currently excluded from this overall picture.

However, as Rajesh Menon, Regional Head of Cargo SAMEA, points out, the remaining spread of ports is all being influenced by some common factors that are leading to new demands in the market. “These include evolving trade flows, shifting customer expectations, capacity and cost pressures, and the need for more resilient, reliable supply chains,” he says.

The global need for supply chain reliability was one of the themes of the recent IICS (India International Cargo Show) Delhi 2026 industry event. India, much like the South East Asia and Oceania region, has experienced production growth as manufacturers spread their risk by diversifying their supply chains. As production – and consumption – continue to expand alongside export activity, there is growing demand on the continent for air cargo services that can connect Indian businesses to major international markets through fast and reliable networks.

“India’s direction of travel remains positive, supported by continued growth in manufacturing, exports, infrastructure development and demand from key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, automotive, electronics and e-commerce,” says Menon. “For Cathay Cargo, this presents an opportunity to support customers who need dependable connectivity between emerging manufacturing centres in SAMEA, Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and other global markets.”

Industry discussions at IICS reflected this optimism (see below), and there was a strong focus on India’s export potential, particularly given its increasing importance in global supply chains. Using the Cathay Cargo stand and presentations, the SAMEA team was able to highlight Cathay Cargo’s advantages in this regard, demonstrating its multimodal connectivity with the manufacturing powerhouse of the wider Greater Bay Area, its digitalisation leadership, and the role of air cargo in supporting time-sensitive and high-value trade.

Special shipment solutions are very much to the fore across the region, with more than 45 per cent of cargo revenues derived from time- and temperature-sensitive solutions, following a trend of more than five per cent year-on-year growth. The largest contributors by tonnage are Cathay Fresh, Cathay Pharma and Cathay Expert, while special solution shipments account for around 37 per cent of overall tonnage.

“These products require specialised handling capabilities, operational expertise, and stringent quality controls, and so they create higher barriers to entry for competitors,” says Menon. He believes that these solutions together with Cathay Cargo’s network connectivity through Hong Kong, mean it is well positioned to capture demand from customers who prioritise reliability, compliance, and product-specific expertise over price alone.

“We are also seeing encouraging opportunities in semiconductors, data racks, spare parts, pharmaceuticals, electronic parts, garments, finished leather and perishables — commodities that align closely with Cathay Cargo’s strengths in reliable connectivity, specialist handling and service consistency,” says Menon.

“In a market where customers are looking for partners who can combine reach, consistency and flexibility, Cathay Cargo is well placed to support the region’s continued growth while helping businesses manage the complexities of the current operating environment,” he says.

Here are the key stats on SAMEA’s air cargo trade patterns and how Cathay Cargo is serving those needs.

On stand at IICS

Cathay Cargo demonstrated its network connectivity, special shipment solution expertise and digital innovation at the show, which attracted more than 12,000 attendees and more than 120 exhibitors. The Cathay Cargo booth was visited by India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, providing additional visibility and credibility. Cathay Cargo also participated in a well-attended speaker session, received positive customer feedback on its market insights and digital initiatives, and generated a number of concrete business opportunities. The event also delivered brand awareness through media coverage, organiser-led promotions, print advertising and social media activity.