2 weeks ago
Thirteen international airlines to start freighter flights at Navi Mumbai
Airplanes don't just carry people — they also carry boxes and packages, which is called cargo.
The Navi Mumbai airport in India is growing its cargo business.
Thirteen airlines from Asia and Europe have been given permission to fly cargo planes there.
On Sunday, the airport welcomed its first cargo plane from another country, flying in from Hong Kong.
That plane, operated by Hong Kong Air Cargo, can carry about 60 tonnes and will fly three times a week.
On August 1, an IndiGo plane made the airport's very first cargo flight, going to a city called Sharjah.
Many airlines are moving their cargo flights from the busy Mumbai airport to the new one.
Turkish Airlines also plans to move its cargo operations to Navi Mumbai in August.
These new flights will help businesses in western India send and receive goods with countries in Asia, Europe and West Asia.
Thirteen international airlines have secured approval to operate freighter flights to Navi Mumbai airport from airports in Asia and Europe.
Hong Kong Air Cargo operated the airport's first international freighter flight on Sunday, with thrice-weekly Hong Kong–Navi Mumbai service using an Airbus A330-200F carrying about 60 tonnes.
IndiGo operated the airport's inaugural dedicated freighter flight to Sharjah on August 1, carrying 20 tonnes of goods.
Most of the approved airlines are switching their freighter operations from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, while a few are new services.
Turkish Airlines plans to relocate its freighter operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport in August and currently operates three scheduled freighter flights a week to Mumbai.
- Who
- Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), jointly owned by Adani Group (74%) and CIDCO (26%), and thirteen international airlines including Hong Kong Air Cargo, IndiGo and Turkish Airlines
- What
- Expansion of cargo operations as thirteen airlines start freighter flights and the airport welcomes its first international freighter from Hong Kong
- Where
- Navi Mumbai International Airport, Maharashtra, India, serving routes across Asia, Europe and West Asia
- When
- August 2026 — Hong Kong Air Cargo's first flight on Sunday, August 16, and IndiGo's inaugural freighter service on August 1
- Why
- To strengthen international cargo connectivity with key markets and reinforce NMIA's role as a logistics and trade gateway for Maharashtra and Western India
Key facts
- Airport
- Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), Maharashtra, India
- Airport ownership
- Adani Group (74%) and CIDCO (26%)
- Freighter airlines approved
- 13 (from Asia and Europe)
- First freighter flight
- IndiGo Cargo to Sharjah on August 1, carrying 20 tonnes
- First international freighter
- Hong Kong Air Cargo from Hong Kong on Sunday, August 16
- Hong Kong Air Cargo service
- Thrice-weekly flights with an Airbus A330-200F, about 60 tonnes capacity, equalling six weekly cargo movements
- Approved destinations
- Hong Kong, Chengdu, Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Amsterdam, Bahrain, Paris and Riyadh
- Turkish Airlines
- Freighter operations relocating to NMIA in August; currently three scheduled freighter flights weekly to Mumbai
Quotes
Navi Mumbai International Airport spokesperson
Representative of NMIA’s management team
“With a significant increase in freighter activity expected by the end of August, we are rapidly expanding our international cargo network and strengthening connectivity with key markets across Asia, Europe, and West Asia. This growing network will create greater opportunities for exporters, importers and businesses, while reinforcing NMIA's role as a strategic logistics and trade gateway for Maharashtra and western India.”
thehindubusinessline.com
telegraphindia.com
“"The project is currently progressing as planned, and the necessary preparations are underway."”
thehindubusinessline.com









