Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to see a major leap in its international cargo handling capacity as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the groundbreaking ceremony of a fully automated FedEx cargo terminal Wednesday.
The 3,00,000 sq ft cargo terminal, a long-term investment of Rs 2,500 crore, will initially handle 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) annually, with plans to scale up to 3.25 MMT. This will position NMIA as a key regional logistics hub, connecting India to Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe, and the United States.
At the ceremony, Fadnavis said, “This shows the power of India and Maharashtra and how it matters when it comes to trade. This will write history in the chapter of logistics.”
Fadnavis further added that by 2047, he wants to make the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) a $5 trillion economy, and the FedEx cargo hub will take this dream to reality.
“For businesses to grow, you need logistics. Currently, in our country, the only impediment is the cost of logistics, as said by PM Modi. This needs to go down. With FedEx and its advanced technology, it helps bring the cost of logistics down,” Fadnavis said.
The terminal will be developed in partnership with FedEx, the world’s largest express transportation company, and Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The completion date for the cargo terminal is yet to be announced; however, airport and City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) sources told ThePrint that the terminal will be ready within three years.
CIDCO officials told ThePrint, that while with the commencement of FedEx operations, a maximum of 3.25 MMT cargo can be handled, realistically, they aim to increase capacity to 2 MMT annually.
Jeet Adani, director, Adani Airport Holdings ltd, said at the groundbreaking ceremony, “This is the first FedEx dedicated hub in the country. One of the world’s largest logistics companies that handles $2 trillion in commerce every year has chosen Navi Mumbai as its first dedicated hub. This is a statement that shows confidence in our country, Maharashtra, and Mumbai, and what NMIA represents.”
FedEx officials say that this will be a long-term investment because they believe in the story of India’s growth.
Currently, FedEx has operations at 650 airports across the world, handling 17 million packages and 400 flights daily. The company’s fleet includes 700 cargo aircraft.
The current Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport handles nearly 1 MMT of cargo annually, accounting for about 65% of the country’s international cargo.
NMIA officials hope that with FedEx cargo, the load will be shared with this airport, generally increasing the cargo handling capacity of both airports.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is 14 km from NMIA, and Jeet Adani said that this combination of FedEx cargo, air cargo, and sea cargo is very rare. “It is this convergence in a country that a company like FedEx chose Navi Mumbai as its first India hub,” Adani said.
The NMIA started its Phase 1 operations, handling domestic flights from the newly built airport in December 2025. Airport authorities say international operations will commence in the second half of this year. All the runways and terminals will be finally completed by 2036.
(Edited by Varnika Dhawan)
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