Navi Mumbai International Airport has celebrated the departure of its first international cargo shipment as Air India Express flight IX207 departed for the UAE, loaded with fresh guavas. The 1.79-tonne consignment marked the opening of a new channel for exporters in western India; the Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route offers approximately 2.5 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity, creating a valuable channel for the movement of perishables and time-sensitive goods. Air India Cargo expects the service to carry around 25 tonnes of cargo each month, helping meet growing demand for fresh Indian produce in the UAE and the wider Gulf region. “Every new route presents an opportunity,” said Ramesh Mamidala, head of cargo, Air India. “This first export shipment from Navi Mumbai connects growers, traders and businesses in western India directly with one of the region’s most important international markets.”