Cathay Cargo begins NMIA freighter operations
Navi Mumbai International Airport now hosts three weekly 747 freighter services, strengthening Western India’s connectivity to Hong Kong and global cargo markets.
Cathay Cargo, the cargo division of Cathay Group, has shifted its Mumbai freighter operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), effective September 21, 2026, strengthening its dedicated freighter connectivity from the Mumbai region.
The carrier operates three dedicated freighter flights a week from NMIA, deploying Boeing 747-400ERF and Boeing 747-8F aircraft. The freighter services provide main-deck capacity and nose-door loading capabilities for oversized and heavy cargo.
From its Hong Kong hub, Cathay Cargo connects Indian cargo customers with markets across the Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia, North America and other international destinations.
The move is expected to support the growing movement of Indian manufacturing and export cargo by providing direct freighter connectivity to Cathay Cargo’s global network through Hong Kong.
Cathay Regional Head of Cargo for South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Rajesh Menon said, “The move of our Mumbai freighter operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport reinforces our steadfast commitment to the Indian market and its growth trajectory. By combining Navi Mumbai International Airport's modern infrastructure with our dedicated freighter presence and our ‘We Know How’ expertise, we are providing reliable connectivity and specialist handling for local enterprises, exporters and SMEs. This will also further strengthen connectivity between Western India’s exporters and key global markets through our Hong Kong hub." In addition to its Navi Mumbai International Airport freighter service, Cathay Cargo continues to operate its dedicated freighter network across India, operating five weekly freighter flights from Delhi and Chennai, respectively.”
Cathay Cargo’s operational approach is built around its “We Know How” ethos, supported by a range of specialist solutions designed to meet the requirements of different types of shipments. Cathay Expert provides dedicated handling for odd-sized, heavy and project cargo, including nose-door loading on freighter aircraft, while Cathay Pharma offers temperature-controlled logistics for pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
Cathay Fresh focuses on the fast and temperature-sensitive movement of fresh produce, perishables and seafood, while Cathay Priority provides guaranteed capacity and expedited handling for time-critical commercial shipments. For live animals, Cathay Live offers specialised handling and transportation designed to ensure their safe movement.
Cathay Cargo’s specialist solutions and its Cathay Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport are supported by a comprehensive portfolio of IATA CEIV certifications, covering CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, CEIV Live Animals and CEIV Lithium Batteries. These internationally recognised accreditations reinforce the carrier’s focus on safety, quality control and regulatory compliance in handling specialised cargo.
In addition to its dedicated freighter network, Cathay Cargo leverages belly-hold capacity on Cathay Pacific’s passenger services from its five Indian gateways, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. With 45 passenger flights per week across these cities, the network provides frequent and time-sensitive connectivity to Hong Kong and onward international markets.
