US Challenges Adani’s plan to move cargo operations to Navi Mumbai Airport, flags possible Breach Of India–US Aviation Pact
MUMBAI : A proposal by the Adani Group to relocate cargo operations from Mumbai’s primary airport to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport has drawn objections from US authorities.
According to a Bloomberg report, the US Department of Transportation had written to India’s Aviation Ministry in March, raising concerns that the proposed shift of freighter services, including those operated by FedEx, could breach the India–US Air Transport Agreement.
The US side has cautioned that compelling American carriers to relocate may invite retaliatory measures under the bilateral pact.
The move follows a directive by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., which operates both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai airport, asking cargo operators to transition in phases between August 2026 and May 2027.
The company has attributed the decision to planned infrastructure upgrades at Mumbai airport that are expected to reduce cargo handling capacity.
A spokesperson for the group stated that refurbishment works, “including operationalization of Taxiway-E and rapid exit taxiways, will temporarily impact nearly 25 per cent of cargo handling capacity,” adding that a phased shift of select freighter operations had been proposed to manage the disruption.
However, US officials reportedly view the plan as an attempt to channel traffic towards the new airport, rather than a purely operational necessity.
With the Adani Group controlling both facilities, concerns have been raised about its growing influence over traffic allocation in India’s busiest aviation hub.
FedEx, currently the only US cargo carrier operating from Mumbai, is said to have approached US authorities over the issue. The matter has since been taken up at a diplomatic level, with the Indian government seeking a resolution.
The development comes amid broader scrutiny of the group’s global operations and could add strain to otherwise strengthening India–US ties.
Source : Swarajya
