The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has unveiled a roadmap to consolidate handling of air cargo at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport by offering world-class facilities.
The AAI will open its Common User Domestic Cargo Terminal (CUDCT), a facility to take care of domestic cargo under one roof, on September 15.
The AAI has decided to handle international cargo (both import and export) and courier international cargo (unaccompanied baggage) soon. A 2,000 square metre floor area of the old domestic terminal is to be used by the AAI for handling the international cargo.
AAI’s 100 percent subsidiary, the AAI Cargo and Logistics Allied Services (AAICLAS), will take care of the international cargo. “We are awaiting the mandatory clearance of Customs to commence international cargo,” Airport Director George G. Tharakan told The Hindu .
The AAI has taken over the building of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE), near the Export cargo complex at Chakka, to commence the courier international cargo. “It was remaining unused and we had taken over the building constructed by KSIE on the land leased to them. After due process, the building had been taken over by the AAI by paying ₹1.1 crore,” the Airport Director said. The AAI has decided to outsource the facilities by floating bids.
KSIE plans
The AAI’s move to get an upper hand in cargo handling is amidst the plans of the KSIE, which has been running the cargo complex at the airport since 1977, to expand the operations by investing ₹60 crore. The KSIE has sought land from the AAI for the new complex.
Welcoming the move, Secretary of the Agricultural Products and Processed Food Exporters Association Dil Koshy said the AAI authorities should keep in mind that 98% of export taking place daily from here was perishable goods. Infrastructure facilities had not gone on par with the 20 to 30% growth in export trade due to the lack of space in the notified area, he said.
