A team of officials from the Department of Customs inspected the building and other facilities set up for international cargo facility at the old terminal building of Madurai airport last week.
“The inspection was to review the facilities provided at the building before giving its custodianship to Airports Authority of India, so that export and import of international cargo can be taken up from Madurai airport,” Madurai Airport Director V.V. Rao said.
The facility had come up with x-ray machines, weighing machines and security arrangement.
The Customs officials had sought minor modifications in the building plan so as to clearly separate the goods meant for domestic cargo and international cargo.
“Once the custodianship is granted, manpower required for loading/ unloading and ground handling will be provided in three to four months,” the Airport Director said.
Three international flights – two to Colombo and one to Dubai – were being operated daily from Madurai. The potential for export of goods from Madurai, especially perishable goods, was high.
At present, the goods were being diverted through other airports. Once, the new facility was launched in Madurai, it would do away with the additional expenditure being incurred by the traders for exporting goods at present, he added.
Good patronage
Mr. Rao said around 700 international passengers were being handled at Madurai airport every day.
The patronage for international flights to the two destinations was increasing steadily.
The number of international passengers who used to fly in and out of Madurai increased to 2.54 lakh in 2015-16 from 1.90 lakh in 2014-15, he said.
Demand for flights
Though there was a long-felt demand for direct flight services to Singapore, Malaysia and the Gulf countries, lack of bilateral agreements was stalling expansion of international services from Madurai airport to other parts of the world.
