Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has handled its first international export cargo shipment, marking the beginning of commercial export operations from India’s newest international gateway. The inaugural consignment, transported aboard an Air India Express flight to Abu Dhabi, comprised 1.79 tonnes of fresh guavas from Maharashtra’s Konkan region and drumstick moringa destined for the UAE market.
The shipment departed on Air India Express flight IX207 on July 15, making it the airport’s first international cargo movement. The development is expected to provide exporters in western India with an additional air freight gateway for time-sensitive agricultural exports.
Air India Cargo said the Boeing 737-8 operating the Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi service offers approximately 2.5 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity per flight. With the airline currently operating the route three times a week, the service is expected to move around 25 tonnes of cargo every month, primarily catering to perishables and other time-sensitive shipments.
The UAE remains one of the largest overseas markets for Indian fresh produce, with exporters relying on rapid transit to preserve product quality and shelf life. The new service is expected to reduce transit times for growers and exporters across Maharashtra by providing direct international connectivity from Navi Mumbai.
The inaugural shipment was dominated by fresh guavas from the Konkan belt, while drumstick moringa formed the remainder of the cargo. Both commodities require efficient temperature-controlled handling to maintain quality during transit.
According to Air India Cargo, export shipments are transported to airport terminals in refrigerated vehicles before being stored in temperature-controlled facilities maintained between 15°C and 25°C. The cargo is then built onto aircraft pallets and containers before departure. Similar temperature-controlled handling is carried out at the destination airport to maintain product integrity throughout the supply chain.
The airline added that its cargo operations are supported by specialised cold-chain equipment, including cool dollies and thermal blankets, while the facilities handling temperature-sensitive cargo are certified to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards. These capabilities are used for transporting perishables as well as pharmaceutical shipments across its network.
The launch of international cargo operations from Navi Mumbai comes as Air India Group continues to expand its presence at the new airport. Under its previously announced plans, Air India Express is expected to progressively increase operations from NMIA, strengthening domestic and international connectivity while creating additional cargo capacity for exporters.
