Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) recorded a significant cargo milestone on September 2, when five cargo aircraft operated by different carriers arrived at the airport in a single day. The highlight was the arrival of a Maximus Air Antonov An-124 “Ruslan”, marking the airport’s first handling of the giant Code F freighter.
The An-124 arrived from Abu Dhabi carrying approximately 46 tonnes of cargo. Operated by UAE-based Maximus Air, the aircraft is designed for transporting outsized and heavy cargo and has a maximum payload capacity of up to 120 tonnes in its standard commercial configuration.
Five freighters in one day
The An-124 was part of a broader surge in freighter activity at NMIA. On the same day:
- Maximus Air operated the Antonov An-124 from Abu Dhabi.
- Suparna Airlines brought NMIA’s first Boeing 777 freighter.
- MNG Airlines operated an Airbus A330 freighter.
- JDL Airlines also operated an Airbus A330 freighter.
- AirMaster Cargo completed the day’s cargo activity with a Boeing 737 freighter from Cairo.
The concentration of different freighter types in a single day demonstrates the airport’s growing ability to accommodate both conventional airfreight operations and specialised heavy and outsized cargo movements.
Growing outsized cargo capability
The An-124 is particularly significant because of its ability to transport large industrial consignments. The aircraft features a large cargo hold, front and rear cargo doors and onboard cranes, allowing it to handle heavy or oversized shipments that cannot be accommodated by conventional freighters. Antonov lists the An-124-100 with a maximum payload of 120 tonnes and a cargo volume of about 1,040 cubic metres.
For NMIA, the arrival strengthens its credentials as an emerging hub for project cargo, heavy freight and specialised air logistics.
Rapid expansion of NMIA’s cargo operations
The airport has achieved several cargo milestones since beginning commercial operations in December 2025. IndiGo Cargo launched NMIA’s first dedicated freighter service in August, followed by Hong Kong Air Cargo’s international freighter operation. Afcom Cargo also shifted its freighter operations from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, while a Boeing 747-400F operated by National Airlines became the largest aircraft previously handled at NMIA on August 24.
The latest An-124 operation therefore comes amid a rapid expansion in the airport’s freighter network.
Positioning as a major cargo gateway
NMIA is being developed not only as a passenger airport but also as a major cargo gateway for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The airport is expected to eventually handle up to 0.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, creating additional capacity alongside Mumbai’s existing air-cargo infrastructure.
The ability to accommodate aircraft ranging from Boeing 737 freighters to Boeing 777s, A330s, 747s and now the An-124 gives NMIA a broader platform for serving different segments of the air-cargo market.
The five-freighter day is consequently an important indicator of the airport’s growing operational maturity and cargo potential, particularly for international freight and high-value, heavy and outsized shipments.