Cathay Cargo shifts Mumbai operations and adds Astana to network

Cathay Cargo shifts Mumbai operations and adds Astana to network Cathay Cargo will shift its Mumbai operations from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport. The cargo division of Cathay Pacific did not say whether the move was temporary or permanent, but Air Cargo News has contacted the airline for confirmation. Tim Wong, general manager cargo service delivery, said in a “From the Main Deck” Cathay Cargo article published on 7 July that the airline’s “regular Mumbai service will move across town to Navi Mumbai International Airport while cargo area refurbishment works take place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport”. Developed by Adani Airport Holdings and CIDCO, Navi Mumbai International Airport officially commenced domestic commercial operations on 25 December, and will launch international flights on 15 July. Astana addition The carrier has also announced some other changes to its network while the Middle East conflict continues. Previously, Cathay Cargo operated Asia-Europe freighters via Dubai, but when the Middle East conflict started it began direct flights on this trade lane. These direct flights limited payload and Cathay Cargo said in April that it had sought to find alternative mid-points. The carrier has now added Astana, Kazakhstan as a stop ahead of Cathay Pacific’s plans to launch direct passenger services to Almaty, Kazakhstan in early 2027. In an update on this situation, Wong said “we are moving the intermediate stops for our European freighters from India to Astana until the end of the summer season while our Dubai freighter operations remain suspended”. He added: “With efforts towards a resolution in the Middle East ongoing, we hope to return to Dubai in the medium term, but we are resuming our freighter service to Riyadh from 1 August.”