Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai will halt freighter operations from August 2026 to May 2027 to rebuild deteriorated cargo infrastructure, reports London's Air Cargo News.

Operator Mumbai International Airport Ltd, a joint venture of the Adani Group and Airports Authority of India, said the project will include a full rebuild of the cargo apron and recarpeting of the main runway, requiring demolition of cargo facilities and construction of a new taxiway.

MIAL added that relocating freighter operations elsewhere at the airport is not feasible due to passenger traffic and space constraints. The airport handles more than 850,000 tonnes of cargo annually and is the world's largest single-runway airport, with only one runway operational at a time.

Navi Mumbai International Airport began operations in December but cargo groups said it is not yet a viable alternative. They warned the suspension would pressure exports already hit by US tariffs and raise costs.

MIAL had proposed a similar 10-month closure last year but delayed the plan after opposition from Mumbai's cargo community.