FedEx Navi Mumbai cargo hub sparks huge trade hope
FedEx Breaks Ground on a Fully Automated Air Cargo Hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport
FedEx will develop a 300,000 sq. ft. fully automated air cargo hub at NMIA with a long-term investment exceeding ₹2,500 crore.
The facility will serve as a regional hub connecting India to Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States.
The hub leverages NMIA’s multimodal infrastructure to strengthen Western India’s international trade corridor
FedEx and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) today broke ground on FedEx’s fully automated air cargo hub, advancing capacity in India’s largest international trade corridor and strengthening its role as an integrated logistics and trade gateway for Western India.
Air cargo hubs like this play a very important role in modern trade. They act like sorting centres where parcels from many places are brought together, sorted quickly, and sent to their final destinations. FedEx already operates some of the world’s largest cargo hubs, including its famous “SuperHub” in Memphis, USA, which handles millions of parcels every day. Experts say automated hubs help reduce mistakes and speed up delivery times. This is especially important today, as online shopping and international trade continue to grow fast.
The ₹2,500 crore long-term investment by FedEx will support the proposed 300,000 sq. ft. facility, designed as a regional consolidation and redistribution hub and developed in partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL). The hub leverages NMIA’s multimodal infrastructure to strengthen Western India’s international trade corridor. Once operational, the hub is expected to create more than 6,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across logistics, warehousing, transportation and allied services.
Large logistics investments like this often bring wide economic benefits. Jobs are created not only inside the airport but also in nearby warehouses, trucking companies, and support services. Studies in India have shown that better logistics can help businesses grow faster because they can send and receive goods more easily. The Indian government has also been pushing to improve logistics under its National Logistics Policy, aiming to reduce overall logistics costs and make Indian exports more competitive in global markets.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis; Mr Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx; Mr Richard Smith, CEO, Airline and COO, International, FedEx; Ms Kami Viswanathan, President, FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA); and Mr Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL.
Government support is often key for such large projects. Maharashtra is one of India’s biggest industrial states, with strong sectors like automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods. These industries depend heavily on fast and reliable shipping. Leaders have been focusing on improving infrastructure so the state can remain a top export centre. Navi Mumbai itself has been planned as a major urban and business hub to reduce pressure on Mumbai and support future growth.
Mr Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL, said: “This development reflects NMIA’s long-term vision of building integrated infrastructure that strengthens India’s trade competitiveness. With its proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, industrial corridors and multimodal transport networks, NMIA is uniquely positioned to support high-growth export sectors and enhance Maharashtra’s role as a global logistics gateway.”
The location of NMIA is one of its biggest strengths. It is close to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva, which is India’s largest container port. This port handles more than half of India’s container cargo. When airports and seaports are located near each other, goods can move faster between ships and planes. This saves time and cost. Many global cities like Dubai and Singapore have used this model to become major trade hubs.
Ms Kami Viswanathan, President, FedEx MEISA, said: “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.”
India’s export sector has been growing steadily, especially in electronics, medicines, and engineering goods. Fast delivery is very important for these sectors. For example, medicines and vaccines often need careful handling and quick transport. During the COVID-19 pandemic, air cargo played a key role in moving medical supplies around the world. Logistics companies like FedEx were important partners in ensuring supplies reached countries safely and quickly.
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. Equipped with advanced automated sorting systems, dimensional scanning, high-speed screening technology and 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 (MSMEs) while contributing to lower logistics costs and faster turnaround times.
Automation is becoming common in modern cargo hubs. Machines can scan parcels, measure their size, and send them to the correct flight without delay. This reduces manual work and improves speed. For small businesses, this is very helpful. Many MSMEs depend on courier companies to send products abroad. Faster delivery means they can reach customers in other countries more easily and compete with global brands.
NMIA’s cargo infrastructure is planned to commence with an initial handling capacity of approximately 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) annually, scaling in phases to around 3.25 MMT in its final development stage. This calibrated capacity expansion supports the airport’s long-term strategy of positioning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as one of India’s most advanced air freight and logistics gateways.
Cargo capacity is a key sign of an airport’s strength. Mumbai’s current airport already handles large volumes of cargo but is operating near its limit. The new airport will help manage future demand. Experts believe India’s air cargo market will continue to grow strongly as the country’s economy expands and exports increase.
Building on nearly three decades of operations in India, the hub expands FedEx’s dedicated presence while supporting NMIA’s role as an integrated aviation and multimodal trade platform in global supply chains.
FedEx first entered India in the 1990s and has since built a strong network across the country. Over the years, it has helped Indian businesses connect with customers worldwide. This new hub marks another major step in strengthening India’s position in global trade and logistics.