FedEx to Invest Rs 2,500 Crore in Navi Mumbai Air Cargo Hub

FedEx has announced an investment of Rs 2,500 crore to establish a dedicated air cargo hub at Navi Mumbai International Airport. This marks the company’s first such large-scale cargo facility in India and reflects a significant strategic move to strengthen India’s position in global trade and transshipment logistics.

The investment comes at a time when India is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing and export hub, supported by policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, and growing trade volumes.

Groundbreaking Ceremony and Project Timeline

The groundbreaking ceremony was conducted by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in the presence of senior leadership from FedEx and Adani Airports.

The cargo hub is expected to become operational within two years, further enhancing Mumbai’s aviation ecosystem and complementing existing airport capacity in the region.

State-of-the-Art Automated Cargo Facility

Modern Infrastructure

The upcoming hub will include:

• A fully automated cargo processing facility

• Over 3 lakh square feet of operational space

• Dedicated parking bays for freighter aircraft

The project is designed to improve cargo handling efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and enable seamless domestic and international connectivity.

Supporting Hub-Led Trade Model

FedEx emphasised that the project aligns with India’s changing trade structure, which is moving away from traditional point-to-point cargo flows toward centralized hub-based logistics systems.

“India’s trade ambition is entering a new phase — moving beyond point-to-point volume flows towards hub-led transshipment-driven logistics. The FedEx Navi Mumbai hub is designed to support this shift,” said Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO of FedEx.

Expanding Global Trade Connectivity

The Navi Mumbai hub will facilitate trade flows connecting:

• South East Asia

• West Asia

• Europe

• The United States

The facility is expected to significantly enhance FedEx’s operational capacity in India and improve service reliability for export-driven sectors.

“In addition to increasing our operational capacity, we are helping expand export corridors and strengthening service reliability for high-growth industries,” Subramaniam added.

Currently, FedEx operates 24 weekly freighter flights serving Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The new hub is expected to substantially scale up cargo operations and provide greater network flexibility.

Strategic Importance for India and SMEs

Jeet Adani, Director at Adani Airport Holdings Limited, described the project as a strong endorsement of India’s economic trajectory.

“For SMEs, manufacturers and agricultural exporters, the hub will serve as a bridge to the rest of the world,” Adani said.

The project is also expected to generate approximately 6,000 direct and indirect jobs once operational, contributing significantly to regional economic growth.

India Joins FedEx’s Global Hub Network

FedEx operates major global air cargo hubs in cities such as Guangzhou (China) and Dubai. The addition of Navi Mumbai to its network strengthens India’s integration into international supply chains at a time when global companies are diversifying production bases and supply routes.

With India targeting higher export volumes and improved logistics performance rankings, this investment is positioned as a key milestone in developing the country’s aviation and cargo infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Rs 2,500 crore FedEx investment in Navi Mumbai International Airport represents a transformative development for India’s logistics and aviation sectors. By establishing a fully automated cargo hub, FedEx is not only expanding its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies but also reinforcing India’s ambitions to become a global trade and transshipment powerhouse.

As the project moves toward completion over the next two years, it is expected to strengthen export corridors, enhance supply chain resilience, and position Navi Mumbai as a major international logistics gateway.