Domestic cargo operations have commenced at the passenger terminal of Tiruchy International Airport, opening a new air-freight option for businesses and traders in the region.

The service began on Tuesday after the airport received final security vetting approval from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, or BCAS. The approval allows domestic cargo handling to start before a dedicated cargo terminal is developed at the airport.

The first consignment weighed 1,192 kilograms and departed on IndiGo flight 6E 2171 at 6:20 am, according to an airport press release. By the end of the first day, the airport expected to handle a total of 2.46 metric tonnes of domestic cargo. The launch is being seen as a long-awaited boost for traders, manufacturers, exporters and businesses in and around Tiruchy that need faster access to markets across India.

The opening-day volume points to immediate demand for air-cargo services from the region. The first shipment and the projected total movement show that local shippers and airlines are ready to use the new facility.

Until now, businesses requiring domestic air-freight services often had to depend on facilities in other cities, adding time and transport costs to their supply chains. Cargo operations at Tiruchy Airport are expected to offer a more direct option for time-sensitive consignments.

The service may benefit industries that need quick, reliable movement of goods, including manufacturing units, agricultural suppliers, small businesses and traders. Faster cargo access can be particularly useful for products that require swift delivery or have tight market schedules.

Airport officials said the start reflects demand that had been building among the trade community. The early uptake could also help airlines assess the scope for expanding cargo capacity from Tiruchy in the coming months.

The beginning of domestic cargo handling follows the final security clearance from BCAS, a key requirement for the airport to process shipments through its passenger terminal.

The arrangement allows the airport to start serving domestic cargo customers even before a separate cargo terminal is completed. It gives regional businesses immediate access to the new service while longer-term infrastructure plans take shape.

Airport Director G. Gopalakrishnan described the launch as an encouraging beginning and said the response reflected pent-up demand among traders. He said stakeholders expect cargo volumes to increase steadily as more shippers become aware of the facility.

The Airports Authority of India and AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited, or AAICLAS, will work with airlines, cargo agents, exporters and other stakeholders to scale up the service.

The new domestic cargo facility is expected to strengthen Tiruchy’s position as a business and transport hub in central Tamil Nadu. Improved freight connectivity can make it easier for local enterprises to send products to key commercial centres across the country.

For regional producers, the service could reduce dependence on road transport for urgent shipments and create new opportunities to reach customers faster. It may also improve logistics planning for companies that operate on short delivery timelines.

The success of the service will depend on consistent airline capacity, efficient handling systems and the volume of cargo generated by the region. However, the first-day figures offer an encouraging start. As AAI and AAICLAS work to expand operations, Tiruchy Airport’s domestic cargo service could become an important link between local businesses and India’s wider market network.