Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has recorded another significant cargo milestone with the arrival of a Maximus Air Antonov An-124-100 “Ruslan” from Abu Dhabi, marking the airport’s first handling of the large Code F freighter.
The aircraft arrived at approximately 12:13 p.m. on September 2, 2026, carrying around 46 tonnes of cargo. Flight-tracking data confirms the Abu Dhabi–Navi Mumbai operation before the aircraft continued onward to Dammam later the same day.
The arrival adds to the rapid expansion of freighter activity at NMIA less than a year after the airport began commercial operations.
An-124 Brings Heavy And Outsized Cargo Capability
Operated by UAE-based Maximus Air, the Antonov An-124-100 is designed for the transportation of heavy and oversized consignments that can exceed the capabilities of conventional freighters.
The aircraft has a maximum commercial payload of up to 120 tonnes and a cargo hold volume of approximately 850 cubic metres. Its onboard cranes allow it to load and unload heavy cargo, including at locations where specialised ground-handling equipment may be limited.
The An-124’s distinctive nose-loading configuration is another key feature. The aircraft’s forward fuselage can open to provide direct access to the main cargo deck, allowing large items such as industrial machinery, turbines and aircraft components to be loaded by driving or winching them into the aircraft.
The aircraft type, developed by the Antonov Design Bureau, first flew in 1982 and has become a specialist platform for heavy and outsized air cargo operations.
Another Step In NMIA’s Cargo Development
The An-124 arrival follows a series of freighter milestones at Navi Mumbai International Airport since commercial operations began on December 25, 2025.
IndiGo Cargo launched the airport’s first dedicated freighter operation on August 1, with a service to Sharjah. Hong Kong Air Cargo subsequently became the first international carrier to commence dedicated freighter operations at NMIA, with its inaugural service on August 16.
Afcom Cargo also moved its freighter operations from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, introducing three weekly Boeing 737 freighter services to Dubai World Central.
On August 24, National Airlines operated a Boeing 747-400F into NMIA from Frankfurt-Hahn, at that point marking the largest freighter to land at the airport.
The subsequent arrival of the An-124 further expands the range of freighter aircraft being handled at the new gateway.
Growing Role In Specialised Cargo
NMIA has been developed with dedicated cargo infrastructure as part of its long-term role in supporting western India’s logistics and trade flows. Adani Airports has stated that the airport’s initial phase is designed to handle up to 0.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, with dedicated facilities planned for cargo, perishables and express shipments.
The handling of an An-124 provides an early indication of the airport’s ability to accommodate aircraft used for specialised and project cargo movements.
For cargo operators, access to a second major airport serving the Mumbai metropolitan region could provide additional options for heavy, oversized and time-sensitive shipments, particularly as freighter activity continues to build.
The September 2 operation also formed part of a particularly active day for cargo at NMIA, with multiple freighter operators using the airport. The growing variety of aircraft and operators points to an expanding cargo ecosystem as the airport establishes its position within western India’s air logistics network.
