FedEx to build 300,000 sq ft air cargo hub at NMIA

FedEx has broken ground on its first dedicated integrated cargo terminal in India, committing more than ₹25 billion to build a 300,000 sq ft fully automated air cargo hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The facility will serve as a regional hub linking India with Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States.

The investment marks one of FedEx’s largest infrastructure commitments in India. Once operational, the hub is expected to create more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs across logistics, warehousing, transport and related services.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings, said the development goes beyond infrastructure. “We are here to break ground on FedEx’s first dedicated integrated cargo terminal in India. Let that sink in for a moment,” he said. He added that one of the world’s largest logistics companies had chosen Navi Mumbai for its first such facility in the country. “This is not just an investment, it is a statement of confidence in India’s economic trajectory, in Maharashtra’s infrastructure vision and in what this airport represents.”

Raj Subramaniam, President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx, said the investment reflects the company’s long-term view of India. “Investment of over $250 million, demonstrating our confidence in India’s growth trajectory and our commitment to building the capabilities to support it,” he said. He noted that global supply chains have changed significantly in recent years and described the shift as longterm. “We do not see this as a temporary trend, but a long-term shift as the world re-globalises.”

Subramaniam added that FedEx operates in nearly 220 countries and territories, placing it at the centre of global trade flows. This global network, built over more than 50 years, gives the company deep insight into market dynamics, he said.

Kami Viswanathan, President, FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA), said the new hub strengthens India’s position in global trade. “India’s competitiveness in global trade will increasingly depend on the reliability and speed of its logistics infrastructure. Establishing this hub at NMIA allows us to integrate global network strength with India’s fastest-growing trade corridor, providing greater certainty, speed and efficiency to customers.”

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said that at a time when global trade routes are shifting, FedEx’s decision to invest in Navi Mumbai shows confidence in India and Maharashtra. He noted that the company operates from 650 airports worldwide and said the new hub would support the state’s strong manufacturing base, which accounts for around 20% of India’s total manufacturing output.

The 300,000 sq ft facility will be fully automated. It will include advanced sorting systems, dimensional scanning equipment, high-speed screening technology and dedicated aircraft parking bays. The hub will be able to process inbound and outbound shipments at the same time, improving speed and reliability. This will particularly benefit sectors such as electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and perishables.

The development will support trade flows across Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States, embedding global network connectivity directly within India’s primary trade corridor. The facility is equipped with advanced automated sorting systems, dimensional scanning and high-speed screening technology, along with dedicated aircraft parking bays. It will enable simultaneous processing of inbound and outbound shipments and enhance routing flexibility and transit time predictability, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive sectors such as electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and perishables. The improved reliability is also expected to strengthen export-import capabilities for micro, small and medium enterprises while contributing to lower logistics costs and faster turnaround times.

NMIA’s cargo operations are set to begin with an annual handling capacity of around 0.5 million metric tonnes, scaling up in phases to approximately 3.25 million metric tonnes at full development. The airport’s location near Jawaharlal Nehru Port and key industrial corridors is expected to support multimodal trade connectivity across Western India.

The Navi Mumbai hub builds on FedEx’s recent expansion in India. In December last year, the company launched a 60,000 sq ft integrated air hub at the AISATS Logistics Park at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. That facility consolidated international import and export handling and introduced automated processing systems, mechanised conveyors and a high-speed dimensioning machine, with a throughput capacity of nearly 4,000 packages per hour.

Earlier, in December 2023, FedEx Express established its first Advanced Capability Community globally in India with an investment of $100 million, further underlining the country’s growing importance in the company’s global network.

With this latest development in Navi Mumbai, FedEx is expanding its physical presence in India at a time when reliable and efficient logistics infrastructure is becoming central to global trade competitiveness.

Apart from FedEx, Aerologic - A JV between DHL and Lufthansa Cargo, Atlas Air and Teleport will also start freighter services from NMIA