Mumbai Airport to Suspend Cargo Flights in August
Mumbai Airport will halt all cargo flight operations from August 16, 2025, with plans to shift freight services to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Photo Source: The Hindu Business Line
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) will cease all cargo flight operations starting August 16, 2025, as part of a major infrastructure overhaul aimed at easing severe capacity constraints.
The decision, communicated to airlines on April 21, affects 24 carriers, including Lufthansa, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific. Mumbai Airport, India’s second-busiest cargo hub, struggles with space limitations caused by intersecting runways and restricted land availability, slowing its traffic growth compared to other airports.
To address the issues, the airport is investing around Rs 10,000 crore in expansion projects. Meanwhile, cargo operations will gradually shift to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), set to open in June 2025.
The Navi Mumbai Airport plans include a dedicated cargo terminal capable of handling 2.6 million metric tonnes annually, with 29 hectares allocated for cargo facilities and 10 dedicated freighter stands.
However, industry insiders have raised concerns over whether NMI will be fully equipped to handle sensitive shipments, especially pharmaceuticals requiring temperature-controlled environments and efficient customs systems.
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