MIAL's freight curbs may hit India's exports; cargo body warns disruptions

Air cargo agents say a proposed 10-month halt of freighter flights at Mumbai airport from August 2026 could disrupt export capacity, raise freight rates and hurt hub credibility

India’s air cargo agents have warned that the proposed 10-month suspension of freighter operations at the Mumbai airport — India’s second-largest air cargo hub — could disrupt export flows, push up freight rates, and damage the country’s reputation as a global cargo hub, Business Standard has learnt. 

The Adani Group-led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) informed aviation stakeholders, including air cargo operators, on December 11 that Mumbai airport will completely suspend freighter flights from August 2026 to May 2027 to re-carpet its main runway, construct a new taxiway, and rebuild the apron used by freighter aircraft for loading and unloading.

 

The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) responded on December 19, urging MIAL to “immediately reconsider” the complete closure of freighter operations for such a “long period” and to work out a model that would allow operations to continue.

 

While welcoming the planned “renovation and repair works”, the association said the suspension was announced without any “mitigation plan and resumption strategy”.

 

In 2024-25 (FY25), Mumbai airport handled about 889,900 tonnes of cargo, accounting for nearly a quarter of India’s total air cargo handled that year. MIAL did not respond to Business Standard’s queries on the matter.

 

ACAAI warned that suspending freighter operations for 10 months would disrupt upliftment capacity and increase freight rates substantially. “This will have an adverse effect on the continual growth of Indian exports,” it said.

 

The association also cautioned that the proposed 10-month timeline could stretch further, worsening the impact. “It is quite possible that the said works planned for ten months may get extended for a few more months, after which airlines may not be in the immediate situation to bring back their freighters, having deployed them elsewhere,” it said.

 

ACAAI argued that passenger aircraft operating “combi” flights -- passenger flights that carry cargo in their belly -- would be unable to replace freighter flights. “Combi flights cannot accommodate cargo to be carried on the freighters, which will be a colossal loss not only to the trade but also to the freighter carriers,” its letter stated.

 

“Such suspension of freighter operations at a highly reputed/busy airport and a cargo business hub of India would adversely affect the reputation worldwide. Why should the air cargo suffer for that?” ACAAI asked.

 

Meanwhile, Navi Mumbai airport, the city’s second airport developed by MIAL’s subsidiary, commenced flight operations last week. The Mumbai airport currently handles about 7-8 cargo flight departures every day.

 

In its letter, ACAAI further said the decision appeared unilateral and raised concerns over compliance with international norms. Such a suspension “violates the guidelines issued by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB)” and agreed by Airports Council International, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Worldwide Airport Coordinators Group, it added.

 

This is not the first time MIAL has moved to suspend cargo operations at the Mumbai airport. In April, MIAL had told cargo operators that dedicated freighter flights would be stopped from August 16 until further notice, citing airside infrastructure works and acute capacity constraints. The announcement had sparked strong resistance from cargo carriers and industry bodies, who had warned that shutting out freighters would weaken Mumbai’s position as a critical aviation and logistics hub. Facing the backlash, MIAL had reversed course in May, rolling back the April decision.