NMIA debut signals new phase for India’s air cargo infrastructure

When Navi Mumbai International Airport opens operations on December 25, its cargo infrastructure is expected to play a central role in reshaping air logistics and regional trade flows in western India. While passenger services will draw early attention, the airport has been developed with a clear focus on positioning air cargo as a driver of economic activity and supply chain efficiency.

Conceived as a multimodal greenfield airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport has been designed to integrate air cargo with road, rail and planned water transport networks. In its first phase, the airport is expected to handle 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, with capacity planned to scale up to 3.25 million metric tonnes in later phases, placing it among India’s largest air cargo hubs.

Pharmaceuticals and perishables are expected to anchor early volumes. The cargo terminal includes temperature-controlled corridors aimed at preserving cold-chain integrity for vaccines, biologics, seafood and fresh produce. The facility is positioned to serve existing pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing clusters in the Mumbai metropolitan region, addressing persistent gaps in compliant cold storage linked to air transport.

The airport’s cargo ecosystem also includes dedicated zones for dangerous goods, secured storage for valuables, live animal handling areas and on-site offices for Customs and multiple regulatory authorities. Certifications such as Regulated Agent, Regulated Agent Third Country, Good Distribution Practise and CEIV are intended to align operations with international cargo handling standards and support cross-border trade.

Multimodal connectivity has been positioned as a key operational advantage. Proximity to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and access to highways, suburban rail, metro corridors and future water transport are expected to reduce transit times between production centres, logistics parks, ports and aircraft. Dedicated express cargo corridors and automated processes are aimed at supporting time-sensitive and high-value shipments.

Digital systems form a core component of the cargo strategy, with integrated cargo handling platforms and data visibility tools expected to reduce dwell times and improve predictability for shippers and freight forwarders. Industry participants view such systems as critical in lowering logistics costs and improving reliability in air freight operations.

Aircraft infrastructure has also been planned around freighter operations. The airport will initially offer seven dedicated freighter parking stands, with expansion planned to 11 in the final phase, alongside aprons designed for wide-body cargo aircraft. This is expected to support both domestic redistribution and long-haul international cargo movements connecting India with key global markets.

Beyond airport boundaries, the cargo-led model is expected to catalyse the development of warehousing zones, logistics parks and cold-chain infrastructure across Navi Mumbai and surrounding regions. Improved access to international markets is likely to benefit exporters, manufacturers and agricultural producers, while generating employment across cargo handling, logistics services and regulatory functions.