Emirates SkyCargo Adds Freighters Ahead of Mumbai Apron Rebuild

Emirates SkyCargo has announced it will increase its dedicated cargo flights into India, bringing its total to five weekly freighters. The move is a strategic response to the upcoming temporary suspension of freighter operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), a critical hub for Indian air freight. The carrier is also launching a new freighter service from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad, reinforcing its commitment to the rapidly growing Indian air cargo market.

The operational adjustments come as CSMIA prepares for a complete rebuild of its freighter-exclusive Apron 'G'. According to an announcement from Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), all-cargo aircraft operations will be suspended at the airport from August 2026 to May 2027. This ten-month closure is necessary to undertake the significant infrastructure upgrade. By proactively adding capacity, Emirates SkyCargo aims to mitigate supply chain disruptions for its customers and maintain the flow of goods between India and its global network.

Strategic Capacity Expansion

Emirates SkyCargo's expansion includes boosting its overall freighter frequencies to support key Indian manufacturing and export hubs. The introduction of a new freighter from Ahmedabad is particularly significant, increasing the airline's weekly freighter flights from that city to three. This expansion addresses the rising demand for reliable cargo capacity driven by India's robust manufacturing sector. According to a recent Emirates SkyCargo press release, the airline uplifts an average of 3,000 tonnes of cargo from India each week. Key commodities include 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and 500 tonnes of perishables weekly.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, commented on the development. “Our new freighter frequencies to India reflects both the strength of India's trade corridors, and our long-term commitment to supporting them,” Abbas stated. “India is a powerhouse of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, perishables and eCommerce and the demand for reliable and stable capacity continues to grow. These additional freighters bolster our existing operations, by offering more connectivity and capacity to ensure we continue to serve our customers in India and across the globe.”

Emirates operates a modern and capable freighter fleet, which as of January 2025 consists of 10 Boeing 777Fs and six wet-leased Boeing 747s, providing the necessary lift for its global operations.

Navigating the Mumbai Closure

The temporary suspension at CSMIA (IATA code: BOM) presents a logistical challenge for the air cargo industry. During the closure, freighter operations are widely expected to shift to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). This transition will test the new airport's cargo handling capabilities and the region's ground transport infrastructure. The apron rebuild at CSMIA is part of a broader effort to modernize India's airport infrastructure to handle future growth.

The growth in the Indian air cargo market is a key driver behind these infrastructure projects and airline expansions. According to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), total air freight handled across all Indian airports rose 3.8 per cent to 2.28 million tonnes between April and October 2025. The Indian government and industry bodies aim to increase the country's total annual air cargo volume to 10 million tonnes by 2030, a significant jump from the current level of approximately 3.5 million tonnes.

This growth is also fueled by strong bilateral trade agreements, notably the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement has stimulated a significant increase in trade volumes, placing greater demand on air freight services between the two nations and beyond.

Why This Matters

This move by Emirates SkyCargo highlights a crucial trend in global logistics: proactive capacity management in response to unavoidable infrastructure developments. By adding services to alternative gateways like Ahmedabad, the carrier ensures continuity for critical supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals. The development also underscores the growing strategic importance of secondary airports in India, which are poised to absorb more traffic as primary hubs like Mumbai and Delhi undergo modernization and expansion. For the Indian market, it signals confidence from a major global cargo operator in the country's long-term export growth trajectory.

From airline operations to fleet updates, commercial aviation news lives at flying.flights. Stay informed on aviation incidents, investigations, and best practices in the Safety category at flying.flights/safety.