Global freight operator FedEx is set to establish its first dedicated cargo hub at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, will be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, underscoring the strategic importance of the facility for both domestic and international freight flows.
The hub aims to consolidate FedEx’s operations in India, particularly in light of planned airside upgrades at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) later this year. Reports indicate that five global freighters may temporarily shift their operations to NMIA to accommodate cargo demand during CSMIA’s expansion, highlighting the airport’s emerging role as a regional logistics gateway. A senior logistics official noted that the NMIA facility is designed as a high-tech node capable of streamlining shipment consolidation, sorting, and redistribution. With direct connectivity to the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), the hub is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and facilitate smoother cargo movements between Maharashtra and key domestic and international destinations.
The development is part of NMIA’s larger cargo infrastructure plan, which allocates 29 hectares for dedicated cargo operations, including 10 freighter stands and an automated terminal. Once operational, the airport aims to handle 2.6 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. Industry experts suggest that the dedicated hub will not only improve logistics reliability but also support regional trade competitiveness, reduce bottlenecks in existing airfreight channels, and foster sustainable supply chain practices by lowering overall fuel usage through optimised routing and reduced idle times. From an economic perspective, the FedEx cargo hub is expected to generate employment opportunities during both construction and operational phases, contributing to urban and industrial growth in the Navi Mumbai node. Urban planners highlight that such infrastructure projects, when integrated with efficient last-mile connectivity and multimodal transport networks, can significantly enhance the resilience and climate preparedness of the city’s logistics ecosystem.
Officials indicate that the hub will complement NMIA’s long-term vision of becoming a premier freight handling facility for western India. The development also signals a broader trend of diversifying cargo operations away from congested metropolitan airports, supporting regional economic decentralisation and enabling cities to manage increasing urban freight demand sustainably. With NMIA poised to absorb a significant share of Mumbai’s freight traffic, the FedEx hub represents a key milestone in strengthening Maharashtra’s logistics capabilities and supporting India’s evolving trade infrastructure landscape.
FedEx Establishes First Dedicated Hub At NMIA
