Navi Mumbai International Airport received its first direct cargo flight from Baku in Azerbaijan on Tuesday, with a Silk Way West Airlines Boeing 777F carrying about 90 metric tonnes of imported cargo, according to a report by Loksatta. The arrival establishes a direct air-cargo link between Navi Mumbai and the Azerbaijani capital as the airport expands its cargo operations alongside passenger services.
The aircraft was welcomed by the airport administration with a water-cannon salute. The Boeing 777F is among the world’s large twin-engine freighter aircraft, and its arrival marked a new international cargo connection for the airport, the report said.
Before the Baku service, Navi Mumbai International Airport had received direct cargo imports from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Hong Kong and Frankfurt-Hahn in Germany. The latest arrival adds a Central Asian connection to the airport’s growing list of international cargo links.
NMIA Limited said the Baku-Navi Mumbai service is expected to strengthen air-freight connectivity with markets in India, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe and West Asia. The company also said the service could provide new air-cargo options for industry, trade and exporters.
The development is significant because cargo connectivity determines how effectively an airport can serve businesses beyond its immediate passenger catchment. Direct freighter services can create additional routing options for time-sensitive imports and exports, although the source report does not provide details about the type of cargo carried, the service frequency, scheduled flight timings or the value of the consignment.
The Baku flight also comes as Navi Mumbai International Airport gives priority to expanding cargo services along with passenger operations. According to the report, the arrival of the Silk Way West Airlines freighter marks the beginning of commercial use of the airport’s cargo facilities.
The airport’s cargo expansion is expected to support efforts to develop Navi Mumbai as an important freight centre for western India. Its longer-term role will depend on how the airport builds sustained links with international markets and how effectively exporters, importers and logistics companies use the new infrastructure. The report, however, does not specify cargo-volume targets, warehouse capacity or a timeline for additional routes.
NMIA Limited said the new service would help increase air-freight connectivity and create further options for trade and export activity. The Baku flight therefore marks a new operational milestone for Navi Mumbai International Airport, with the airport administration continuing to expand its international cargo network.
