Major cargo airlines, including Air France – KLM Cargo and Cathay Cargo (CX), are moving operations to the newer Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) winds down its cargo operations in a phased manner. The shift signals a gradual change in how India’s second busiest cargo airport handles freighter traffic, with Navi Mumbai stepping in to absorb the load.
Cathay Cargo Confirms Relocation, Air France Set to Follow
Cathay Cargo has become the first international carrier to confirm a relocation of its dedicated freighter operations from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), effective Aug. 3. The move comes as Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) prepares to suspend dedicated freighter operations at CSMIA to allow construction of new taxiways linked to Runway 14/32. A Cathay Cargo spokesperson confirmed the shift is subject to operational requirements and will remain in place until further notice, with the airline’s existing tri-weekly summer freighter service to Mumbai continuing on schedule.
Air France – KLM’s Martinair Cargo is expected to follow. The carrier, which operates two weekly freighter services between Paris and Mumbai, has indicated its cargo operations could move to NMI as early as Aug. 1, subject to approvals. Lufthansa Cargo has said it remains in discussions with authorities and stakeholders, with operational plans still being finalised.
Background: Why the shift is Happening
Adani Airport Holdings operates both CSMIA and NMIA. MIAL’s notice on the freighter suspension at CSMIA followed months of planning between airport authorities, airlines, and ground handlers to keep cargo services running during the taxiway construction. Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) had earlier invited cargo operators to shift to NMIA from Aug. 16, 2025, and asked carriers to confirm their intent to begin operations there by May 5, 2025.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) raised concerns at the time about what it described as a permanent withdrawal of historic freighter slots from the following scheduling season. MIAL responded that the changes were part of a regulator-led process under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India’s Fourth Control Period review. The relocation does not affect belly cargo carried on passenger aircraft, which continues to operate as normal from CSMIA.
Do you think other international carriers will follow, or will they wait out the construction at CSMIA? Let us know in the comments below.
