FedEx will establish its first dedicated cargo hub at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with a groundbreaking ceremony held in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The facility is being developed to serve both domestic and international shipments and to formalise the company's footprint in Maharashtra. The project is described by authorities as a high-tech gateway intended to enhance the region's cargo handling capability. Plans to carry out major airside upgrades at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) have prompted a reorganisation of cargo flows, with five global freighters planning to shift operations to NMIA during the works. The airport operator intends to dedicate 29 hectares to cargo facilities, including 10 freighter stands and an automated terminal designed to optimise throughput. The site layout is being planned to allow phased expansion as demand grows. The configuration aims to support a targeted capacity of 2.6 million (mn) tonne (t) of cargo annually. The hub is expected to optimise supply chains by consolidating, sorting and redistributing goods, and by improving connections to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The proximity to the port is intended to reduce transit times and to enhance multimodal linkages for importers and exporters. Stakeholders say the automated systems and freighter stands will enable faster processing and improved schedule reliability. The development is expected to strengthen regional cargo capacity as operations transition from CSMIA and to support both domestic distribution networks and international trade corridors. Observers note that dedicating infrastructure at NMIA should provide resilience while the older airport undergoes upgrades. Local logistics providers anticipate improved integration with road and rail networks. The ground breaking was scheduled for Wednesday and officials indicate the hub will play a central role in meeting rising demand.