Navi Mumbai International Airport set to redefine air cargo operations

By Admin

24 Sep, 2025

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the much-anticipated second airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, is gearing up for its inauguration on September 30. While passenger convenience is a core focus, NMIA’s advanced air cargo facilities are poised to transform Maharashtra into a logistics hub of national significance, offering India’s trade ecosystem a major boost in efficiency and competitiveness.

Phased Cargo Expansion

Built as a greenfield project, NMIA’s cargo capabilities are being developed in multiple phases. The first phase will feature a fully integrated cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 0.5 million tonnes. Over the next 10–12 years, the terminal will be expanded through successive phases to reach a planned capacity of 3.25 million tonnes by the completion of phase five.

At full build-out, NMIA will operate two parallel runways. Initially, only one runway will be operational, with the second constructed later, enabling simultaneous flight operations in the long term.

Strategic Location Near JNPT

NMIA enjoys a strategic advantage due to its proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India’s busiest container gateway. With JNPT projected to surpass 10 million TEUs by 2027, this closeness opens avenues for seamless sea-air transshipment, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive cargo. Containers arriving at JNPT can be cleared and airlifted within hours to Europe, North America, and Asia, offering businesses a full spectrum of cargo solutions, from bulk containerized shipments to urgent express freight.

Multimodal Connectivity

Designed as a multimodal hub, NMIA ensures rapid movement of goods and passengers. The airport is connected to expressways, highways, arterial roads, metro systems, suburban rail, high-speed rail, and inland waterways. Key industrial and logistics clusters across Alibag, JNPT, Panvel, Nerul, and Thane will be accessible within 1.5 hours, while hubs such as Bhiwandi can be reached in about 2.5 hours.

Integrated free trade and warehousing zones, supported by dedicated freight corridors, will further streamline customs clearance and re-exports, delivering significant efficiency gains for importers and exporters alike.

Cargo Infrastructure Highlights

The first phase of NMIA’s cargo terminal spans approximately 35,000 square metres, with 10,000 square metres dedicated to domestic operations and the rest for international cargo. Features include:

• Dedicated international, domestic, and courier/express cargo terminals
  
  

• 11 freighter stands, seven ready at launch, with the remaining coming in the next phase
  
  

• Compatibility with both Code D aircraft (Boeing 767F) and larger Code F aircraft (Airbus A380, Boeing 747-8F)
  
  

• Initial domestic cargo operations, followed by international freight handling in subsequent months
  
  

Advanced Technology and Sector-Specific Hubs

NMIA’s cargo operations will leverage automation and digital innovation to set new benchmarks in speed and reliability. Highlights include:

• Automated storage and retrieval systems
  
  

• AI-enabled monitoring and robotic sorting, reducing turnaround times by up to 40%
  
  

• Real-time tracking platforms for transparency
  
  

• Paperless processes using blockchain-based digital customs clearance
  
  

Specialized hubs are also planned to support key sectors:

• Perishables Cargo Village: Farm-to-flight cold chain corridors for grapes, mangoes, onions, cut flowers, and other agricultural exports
  
  

• Pharma Excellence Centre: GDP-compliant, temperature-controlled zones for life sciences and pharmaceutical shipments
  
  

• Drone and Express Cargo Zone: Facilitating fast-growing e-commerce and drone logistics
  
  

Complementary Role with CSMIA

While Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) currently handles significant cargo volumes, NMIA is designed to complement rather than replace it. Together, both airports will establish Mumbai as a dual-airport cargo ecosystem, capable of accommodating exponential growth in trade in the coming decades.

By combining multimodal connectivity, proximity to India’s busiest port, and cutting-edge cargo infrastructure, NMIA is set to redefine air freight operations in India, positioning Maharashtra as a national logistics powerhouse.