en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mumbai International Airport in India plans to temporarily transfer dedicated cargo flights to Navi Mumbai Airport due to airfield improvement works. The latter is expected to launch international passenger services on July 15, with the first route operated by Air India Express to Abu Dhabi.

Mumbai International Airport Limited has previously notified airlines that dedicated cargo flights may be suspended from August 2026 to May 2027. Belly cargo operations on passenger aircraft will remain unaffected and continue as normal. Industry tracking data shows that the temporary suspension of dedicated cargo flights in Mumbai is one of the drivers for shifting cargo to Navi Mumbai Airport, which has been positioned for cargo and international passenger services since its planning phase.

Air France currently operates two weekly Paris-Mumbai dedicated cargo flights, and the company stated that the operational transfer is planned for August 1, pending approval. Lufthansa Cargo also indicated it is discussing operational details with authorities and relevant parties. Cathay Cargo has confirmed it will transfer its Mumbai cargo operations to Navi Mumbai Airport starting August 3. Multiple cargo operators are coordinating approval processes with regulatory bodies, aiming to commence operations from the new airport in early August.

Sharma, Chairman of Navi Mumbai International Airport, previously stated that international cargo operations are expected to start on July 15, with weekly cargo flights potentially gradually increasing to about 18. The airport's long-term planned annual cargo handling capacity is 3.2 million tons, positioning it as a regional logistics hub.The temporary transfer of dedicated cargo flights will mark a significant adjustment in India's air logistics sector.