Hong Kong Air Cargo to launch Navi Mumbai charters

Hong Kong Air Cargo will commence round-trip charter flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and Navi Mumbai (NMI) starting August 10, 2026, operating every Monday. The Hong Kong-based carrier announced the service in an official release.

The move marks an early footprint at Western India's newest aviation hub, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). It strengthens the carrier's regional network and opens a fresh trade lane linking East and South Asia.

Flight RH9631 departs Hong Kong at 09:00 and lands in NMI at 13:20 local time. The return service, RH9632, departs NMI at 14:50 and arrives in Hong Kong at 23:20, both operating weekly on Mondays.

Hong Kong Air Cargo has operated as an all-cargo carrier out of Hong Kong since 2017, offering charter and scheduled services tailored to varied customer needs. The airline runs a fleet of six Airbus A330 freighters across destinations including Amman, Bangkok, Budapest, Chennai, Delhi, Dhaka, Hanoi, Istanbul, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei.

The Navi Mumbai launch adds a third Indian gateway to the carrier's network alongside Chennai and Delhi, deepening its presence in a market central to East-West air cargo flows.

Earlier this month Cathay Cargo confirmed shifting Mumbai freighter operations from BOM to NMI as runway upgrade works continue at Mumbai's primary airport. The temporary move keeps cargo moving, with Cathay's tri-weekly summer freighter service unaffected. Air France and Lufthansa Cargo are considering similar shifts.

Freighter operations are shifting from Mumbai's primary airport to NMI due to runway upgrade works underway. Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) announced the temporary suspension of dedicated freighter operations to accommodate construction. NMI offers an interim solution, ensuring cargo continuity while Mumbai's primary airport undergoes critical infrastructure improvements.

However, there is huge uncertainty over the timeline for the freighter shift to NMIA, as industry sources claim the airport is not yet ready, in terms of infrastructure and skilled manpower, to support a full-scale move.

NMI opened international passenger traffic on July 15 with Air India Express launching the airport's first international service to Abu Dhabi. On the same day NMI also started international export cargo with 1,789 kg airlift to Abu Dhabi.

NMI started domestic passenger traffic on December 25, 2025, following an inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, 2025.