An industry executive said airlines will also conduct audits of facilities at Navi Mumbai airport before starting operations | Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B

i

International airlines are negotiating office spaces and ground handling contracts as they gear up to shift freighter operations from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport.

International passenger flights will commence from Navi Mumbai airport on July 15 with Air India Express’ Abu Dhabi service. Freighter services from Navi Mumbai are expected to begin from next month as Mumbai International Airport Limited ( MIAL) intends to temporarily suspend freighter operations.

Air France, which operates two weekly freighter flights between Paris and Mumbai, said transfer is currently planned for August 1 subject to required approvals.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities and airport stakeholders to complete all regulatory processes. At the same time we are finalising necessary operational and handling arrangements to ensure a smooth transition,” said Manuel Vaz, Air France-KLM Martinair’s cargo director for India.

Vaz said the airline is seeing healthy demand from India across a range of sectors and it’s planned move to Navi Mumbai reflects commitment to support customers with reliable and future ready operations.

Lufthansa Cargo said it is in constant dialogue with relevant authorities and stakeholders as various aspects are still in validation. “We are working on those to inform our customers about upcoming changes as soon as possible,” it said.

audit of facilities

An industry executive said airlines will also conduct audits of facilities at Navi Mumbai airport before starting operations. “ Loading of cargo into the aircraft requires skill and staff doing the job are well trained and certified. It is likely that the staff in Mumbai would be transferred to Navi Mumbai but they will require new security passes,” he said.

Last December, MIAL had informed airlines about its plans to suspend freighter operations from August 2026 to May 2027. The suspension is planned in order to carry out airside improvement works. The airport had then said only dedicated cargo aircraft movement will be suspended but overall cargo traffic (carried in belly space of passenger aircraft) will continue seamlessly. Around 65 per cent of all cargo volume in Mumbai airport is carried in belly space of passenger aircraft, it had said.

Last fiscal, Mumbai airport handled 9.27 lakh tonnes of cargo and is the second busiest airport in India for cargo movements. 

Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports did not respond to queries.

Published on July 6, 2026