Sep 23: Cathay Cargo, the cargo division of the Cathay Group, announced the relocation of its Mumbai freighter operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport, effective 21 September 2026.
Through its dedicated freighter network serving major Indian cities and its well-connected Hong Kong hub, Cathay Cargo connects Indian customers and businesses to key markets across the Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia, North America and beyond. From its home hub, Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo offers seamless connectivity between India and major global markets, with half of the world’s population reachable within five hours’ flying time. Beyond providing capacity, Cathay Cargo serves as a strategic partner in India’s manufacturing and export growth story by helping Indian goods reach global markets faster, more safely and more competitively.
Cathay Cargo operates three dedicated freighter flights per week from Navi Mumbai International Airport using its Boeing 747-400ERF and Boeing 747-8F freighters, offering robust and consistent main-deck capacity, and nose-door loading capabilities to seamlessly transport odd-size, heavy cargo to and from its Hong Kong hub and beyond.
Cathay Regional Head of Cargo for South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa Rajesh Menon said:
“The move of our Mumbai freighter operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport reinforces our steadfast commitment to the Indian market and its growth trajectory. By combining Navi Mumbai International Airport’s modern infrastructure with our dedicated freighter presence and our ‘We Know How’ expertise, we are providing reliable connectivity and specialist handling for local enterprises, exporters and SMEs. This will also further strengthen connectivity between Western India’s exporters and key global markets through our Hong Kong hub.”
In addition to its Navi Mumbai International Airport freighter service, Cathay Cargo continues to operate its dedicated freighter network across India, operating five weekly freighter flights from Delhi and Chennai respectively.
Cathay Cargo’s operational excellence is anchored in its “We Know How” ethos, with a suite of specialist solutions tailored for each special shipment, including:
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Cathay Expert: Dedicated handling for odd-sized, heavy and project cargo utilising nose-door freighter loading.
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Cathay Pharma: Strict temperature-controlled logistics for life-saving pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
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Cathay Fresh: High-speed cold-chain transport ensuring fresh produce, perishables and seafood arrive in optimal condition.
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Cathay Priority: Guaranteed space and expedited processing for time-sensitive commercial shipments.
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Cathay Live: Specialised care and safe transport for live animals.
Furthermore, Cathay Cargo’s specialist solutions and Cathay Cargo Terminal operations at Hong Kong International Airport are backed by a complete set of IATA CEIV certifications – including CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, CEIV Live Animals, and CEIV Lithium Batteries. These internationally recognised accreditations ensure the highest global standards of safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance across all specialised cargo streams.
Complementing its freighter network, Cathay Cargo utilises additional belly-hold capacity on Cathay Pacific’s passenger aircraft across all five of its Indian gateways: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Operating 45 passenger flights per week across these five cities, the passenger airline offers time-bound, high-frequency connectivity into Hong Kong and beyond.