FedEx Breaks Ground on a Fully Automated Air Cargo Hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport

FedEx unveils a 300,000 sq ft automated air cargo hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport, a Rs 2,500 crore investment. The facility aims to boost regional trade links with Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States, creating thousands of jobs and enhancing export capabilities for MSMEs.

Global logistics major FedEx has broken ground on a fully automated air cargo hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a major investment of over Rs 2,500 crore to strengthen India’s logistics infrastructure and boost international trade connectivity.

The upcoming facility, spread across 300,000 square feet, is being developed in partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and is expected to serve as a key regional consolidation and redistribution hub linking India with Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States.

The foundation ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam, FedEx Airline CEO and COO International Richard Smith, FedEx MEISA President Kami Viswanathan and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd Director Jeet Adani.

Once operational, the facility is projected to generate over 6,000 direct and indirect jobs across logistics, warehousing, transportation and related sectors, providing a significant boost to employment and regional economic growth.

Jeet Adani said the project aligns with Navi Mumbai International Airport’s long-term vision of strengthening India’s global trade competitiveness through integrated infrastructure. He noted that NMIA’s strategic proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, industrial corridors and multimodal transport networks will support high-growth export sectors and reinforce Maharashtra’s role as a global logistics gateway.

Kami Viswanathan highlighted that reliable and efficient logistics infrastructure is essential for India’s global trade competitiveness. She said establishing the hub at NMIA will enable FedEx to combine its global network capabilities with India’s fastest-growing trade corridor, improving speed, reliability and efficiency for customers.

The advanced cargo hub will feature automated sorting systems, dimensional scanning, high-speed screening technology and dedicated aircraft parking bays. These capabilities will allow simultaneous handling of inbound and outbound shipments, improving transit time predictability and routing flexibility, especially for high-value and time-sensitive sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods and perishables. The development is also expected to enhance export-import capabilities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), reduce logistics costs and improve turnaround times.

NMIA’s cargo infrastructure will initially handle about 0.5 million metric tonnes annually, with phased expansion planned to reach approximately 3.25 million metric tonnes at full capacity. This expansion supports the airport’s long-term strategy of positioning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as a major air freight and logistics hub.

FedEx, which has operated in India for nearly three decades, said the new hub will further strengthen its presence in the country while supporting NMIA’s emergence as an integrated aviation and multimodal trade platform in global supply chains.