Emirates SkyCargo adds freighter flights ahead of Mumbai airport freighter closure
Mint at the Air Cargo India 2026 being held in Mumbai.“So, we will have a total of five freighters weekly into India once we add the new freighter frequencies,” he said. When asked about shifting operations as Mumbai airport will close its freighters operations, Abbas said, “Yes, we will adapt as needed”, and will consider moving to the new airport in the state, Navi Mumbai.Currently, Emirates carries around 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and 500 tonnes of perishables from India each week, out of a total weekly uplift of 3,000 tonnes.Mint earlier reported that five foreign freighters, including FedEx and a DHL-Lufthansa joint venture, are expected to start operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) from May.
Apart from FedEx, Challenge Air, Aerologic (DHL-Lufthansa Cargo JV), Atlas Air, and Teleport will begin freighter flights. A freighter aircraft, also called a cargo plane, is an aircraft that carries goods instead of passengers.Indian airports handled an estimated 3.3–3.7 million tonnes of air cargo in recent years, according to EY.
For context, Mumbai airport’s cargo capacity is about 1.45 million tonnes, with a utilization rate of 62%, per a September 2025 compliance report.Navi Mumbai International Airport, which began operations in December last year, is expected to absorb freighter operations as CSMIA undergoes major runway, taxiway, and apron repairs to support future growth. Apron G, used exclusively for freighters, will be completely rebuilt from August 2026 to May 2027, requiring a temporary closure.This led to concerns from the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), which warned that exporters may reroute cargo through Delhi or Bengaluru since NMIA has not yet begun international
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