How first direct air cargo to Antarctica is rewriting polar logistics

India has launched its first direct air cargo from Goa to Antarctica, marking a major advancement in the country’s logistics efficiency for polar expeditions.

The mission, operated by a Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-76 cargo aircraft, nicknamed Gajraj, took off from Goa’s Manohar International Airport, carrying 18 tonnes of essential expedition which eliminated the need for transshipments through South Africa or other foreign hubs. For the first time, India’s Antarctic-bound supplies, including scientific equipment, spares, and life-support materials, were transported directly from Indian soil to the icy continent.

According to Thamban Meloth, Director of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), direct air cargo will bring measurable improvements in speed, reliability, and sustainability for India’s Antarctic logistics. “It enhances our operational capabilities and ensures that critical cargo reaches our stations on time,” he said.

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), headquartered in Goa under India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the country’s lead institution for polar and ocean studies. It oversees India’s scientific expeditions to the Antarctic, Arctic, and Himalayan regions, managing key research stations such as Maitri, a long-standing Indian base supporting atmospheric and earth science studies, and Bharati, a modern all-weather research station focused on geology, climate, and oceanic science; along with Himadri in the Arctic. NCPOR conducts extensive research in climate change, glaciology, polar ecosystems, atmospheric sciences, and oceanography, and also coordinates India’s Southern Ocean expeditions. Its work strengthens India’s understanding of polar and oceanic processes and their influence on global climate systems.

The earlier system: Long routes and logistical delays
Until now, India’s Antarctic operations relied on a mix of sea and air routes that involved long transit times and complex coordination. Heavier and long-lead cargo was shipped from JNPT Port, Mumbai, to Cape Town, South Africa, a voyage that usually took around 45 days, depending on weather and port conditions.

Critical consignments such as medicines, spares, and scientific instruments were flown commercially from Mumbai, routed through hub airports before reaching Cape Town. These shipments often faced delays due to strict customs and transit regulations at intermediary airports.

Such delays sometimes led to missed connections with the Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN) flights from Cape Town to Antarctica, disrupting the delivery of essential supplies to India’s Bharati and Maitri stations. “A single delay could mean equipment missing the seasonal flight to Antarctica,” said Meloth. “This directly impacted research schedules and resource management.”

The Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN) is a collaborative air logistics network established by several countries operating research stations in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. It is a large region of East Antarctica claimed by Norway. It stretches along the coast of the Antarctic continent. Its purpose is to provide efficient, coordinated air transport for scientists, cargo, and supplies between Antarctic stations and gateway airports, mainly in South Africa. By pooling aviation resources, DROMLAN reduces operational costs, improves safety, and ensures reliable access to some of the most remote research bases on the continent.

A game changer in polar logistics
The new direct air cargo significantly reduces this dependency on foreign ports and intermediaries. Operated with support from GMR Aero Cargo Logistics at Manohar International Airport, the mission was managed through a dedicated cargo campus that integrated customs, ground handling, and cold chain facilities under one platform.

“GMR’s infrastructure and the Customs department’s coordinated support were key in making this operation smooth and efficient,” Meloth noted.

The IL-76 aircraft, operated by Alpha Crux and Ultima Antarctic Logistics, transported essential scientific and life-support equipment. What earlier took over a month by sea and involved multiple handovers was completed in less than a day of flight time.

Alpha CruX is a small New Zealand company that offers private stargazing and night-sky photography tours in the dark-sky region of Lake Tekapo. They bring telescopes and equipment to show planets, stars, and the Milky Way to guests. Ultima Antarctic Logistics, on the other hand, provides flights, transport, and support for people going to Antarctica. Their related company, Ultima Antarctic Expeditions, also offers adventure trips for travellers to see remote places, wildlife, and even visit the South Pole.

Partnerships and collaboration at the core
India’s Antarctic missions are carried out under the DROMLAN framework. As one of DROMLAN’s founding members, India has long benefited from this shared infrastructure, even chairing the consortium on several occasions.

“Ultima Antarctic Logistics manages the runway network in coordination with the Russian Antarctic Programme, and India works with them for operational and maintenance support whenever required,” Meloth said. “Alpha Crux provides and maintains the IL-76 aircraft used for the mission.”

Such partnerships not only ensure access to resources and expertise but also reflect the growing interdependence of nations in supporting sustainable and efficient polar logistics.

Efficiency, reliability, and cost savings
From a logistics perspective, the new direct air cargo represents a major improvement in operational efficiency. It provides faster turnaround for time-sensitive cargo, reduces risks linked to multiple transshipments, and limits exposure to foreign regulatory barriers.

“It is not only about faster delivery,” Meloth explained. “It’s about ensuring reliability, especially for cargo with limited shelf life or crucial components needed for continuous station operations.”

The shift also has economic advantages. By avoiding transshipments and delays, India reduces the costs of reserving space on DROMLAN’s shared charter flights. Fewer handling points also lower the risks of cargo damage and non-compliance with international safety or biosecurity norms.

Cold chain readiness and India’s broader logistics vision
Though designed for polar operations, this achievement demonstrates the strength of India’s broader logistics ecosystem. Handling such complex cargo movements from Goa showcases India’s readiness for advanced cold chain management, integrated multimodal operations, and international coordination.

The expertise gained here will be useful across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and high-value exports, where cold chain efficiency and time-sensitive transport are vital.

By applying the same precision and inter-agency collaboration developed for Antarctic logistics, India strengthens its position as a reliable player in global trade and supply chain innovation.

Sustainability through shared resources
Sustainability remains a key principle in polar logistics. The DROMLAN consortium’s shared model, where countries coordinate flight schedules, share cargo space, and jointly maintain infrastructure, reduces duplication of resources and environmental impact.

“The consortium’s cooperative framework is itself a sustainable practice,” said Meloth. “By pooling flight operations and logistics resources, member nations minimise fuel consumption and carbon footprint while maintaining operational reliability.”

Direct flights from India further contribute by cutting down multiple transshipments, lowering emissions, and ensuring that perishable goods reach their destination without wastage.

Future of India’s polar supply chain
The success of the Goa–Antarctica air mission signals the beginning of a broader transformation in India’s polar logistics strategy. Going forward, air connectivity is expected to complement marine routes, offering a hybrid model for faster and more flexible supply chain operations.

“Air connectivity will form the backbone of our future Antarctic logistics,” Meloth stated. “It enhances the speed, reliability, and safety of cargo movement while reducing dependency on multiple transshipments.”

This shift reflects a more resilient, technology-driven approach that aligns with India’s growing focus on integrated logistics, combining ports, airports, and multimodal networks to ensure end-to-end efficiency.

Learning from challenging environments
Operating in extreme conditions has also offered valuable insights into contingency planning, risk management, and operational redundancy.

“The key takeaway is the importance of contingency and backup planning,” Meloth said. “Having alternate routes and emergency mechanisms ensures uninterrupted operations even under adverse conditions. These principles are relevant not just for Antarctica but for any challenging logistics environment.”

Such lessons have broader applications, from emergency relief operations and defence logistics to high-altitude and remote-area transport. They underline the need for flexibility and foresight in managing complex global supply chains.

A defining step for Indian logistics
India’s first direct air cargo mission to Antarctica marks a defining moment in the country’s logistics evolution. It demonstrates how operational innovation and global collaboration can drive both scientific and strategic progress.

From the docks of Mumbai to the runway in Antarctica, this mission represents more than just a logistics achievement. It signals India’s growing capability to manage complex, international supply chains efficiently and responsibly.

As Meloth summed up, “This is not the end of a journey but the start of a stronger logistics framework for India’s polar operations. It opens new possibilities for efficiency, sustainability, and self-reliance in our global logistics network.”