Trujet, the Hyderabad-based Turbo Megha Airways, operating flight service to Salem, plans to introduce cargo service in the Salem – Chennai sector shortly.
From Chennai the cargo will be lifted to the other centres of prominence by the connecting Trujet flights on the same day.
Airport officials said the proposal is in a preliminary stage.
According to Trujet sources here, initially it will commence the cargo service by lifting the courier articles. Later, cargo services can be expanded for perishable items.
“The airlines has already received enquiries from different concerns from the western districts on the introduction of cargo service ever since the introduction of the flight in Salem – Chennai sector on March 25 under the regional connectivity scheme of UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik),” the sources said.
K. Mariappan, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Salem, said the Chamber has been pressing for air cargo service for many years, as the district has a good potential of airlifting flowers, vegetables, fruits etc.
Salem jasmine is as famous as ‘Madurai Malli’ and a huge quantity of jasmine from different parts of the district is being transported to Benguluru airport by road, from where they were airlifted to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata where they have good market throughout the year, Mr. Mariappan said.
Similarly, the samangi flowers are also raised in a large area in Kolathur and Mettur blocks apart from the villages of Poosaripatti, Thinnapatti, and Pannapatti surrounding Kaamalapuram airport. They, too, could be airlifted afresh daily.
