Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) highlighted Kochi’s growing role in India’s trade and logistics ecosystem on the first day of the International Cargo Business Summit (ICBS) 2026, which brought together industry leaders, policymakers and global experts to deliberate on the future of air cargo and multimodal logistics. In the opening session of the summit, CIAL Managing Director S. Suhas, IAS, emphasised the critical role of air connectivity in driving economic growth. He noted that CIAL’s 2.5 lakh sq. ft. cargo warehousing facilities handle a significant share of Kerala’s exports, underscoring Kochi’s importance in the State’s logistics network. During the thematic presentations, V. P. Nandakumar, representing FICCI, highlighted CIAL’s investments in digital transformation aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in cargo operations. Dhaval Raut of KPMG observed that Kochi handles nearly 60 per cent of Kerala’s air cargo, with perishables forming a major share, pointing to the need for strong cold-chain and time-sensitive logistics infrastructure. The technical sessions featured panel discussions on global trade dynamics, tariff regimes, the role of air cargo in India’s export growth and the importance of multimodal logistics. Dr. Jose Paul, former Acting Chairman, JN Port, underlined the vast potential in agricultural exports and stressed the need for modern cargo infrastructure to address existing gaps. Experts reiterated Kochi’s strength as a multimodal hub integrating air, sea and rail connectivity, enabling cost-effective and scalable logistics solutions. The ‘Sea-to-Sky’ logistics concept was highlighted by M. Afzal Malbarwala, Managing Director, Galaxy Freight Pvt. Ltd., who described CIAL as a critical link between maritime trade and air cargo operations. Burak Ozber, Regional Cargo Manager, Turkish Airlines, and Roopesh Nair, Regional Director, Saudi Cargo, noted steady growth in freight movement through Kochi and emphasised the importance of technology adoption and process optimisation to meet rising demand. Looking ahead, speakers including James J. Nedumpara of the Centre for Trade and Investment Law and Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counsellor, Embassy of Vietnam, observed that emerging India–EU and India–ASEAN trade engagements present significant opportunities for Kochi to further strengthen its role as a regional logistics gateway.