India's Pune airport closer to achieving international air cargo role

INDIAN customs has given approval to a scheme in which the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be given custodial rights and responsibilities over bonded cargo moving to and from Pune Airport, which serves the city of 3.4 million south east of Mumbai.


Pune airport was designated a customs airport in 1997 for the export of perishable produce such as flowers, fruit, vegetables and food, but not much came of the plan.


But the Times of India reports that the airport continues to grapple with space shortages required for storage of bonded cargo.


The airport now caters to domestic cargo while international cargo is handled at the inland container depot (ICD) at Dighi 15 kilometres from the city along the Alandi Road, a location that better serves Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva near Mumbai.


Local Pune business has long sought international cargo movement from the airport as 40 per cent of international cargo bound for JNPT comes from Pune and nearby districts.


Said Pune airport director PSRK Sudhakar: "We are pursuing the matter of securing a 10-acre piece of land close to the airport with the state government. We need this space not only for the cargo complex but also for setting up residential quarters for the AAI as well as the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) staff."


The plan is to divide the land into five acres each for cargo and residential quarters. As of now, AAI, Pune has 300 employees while another 200 staff belonging to the CISF.


Customs will require facilities such as a cargo shed for import and export consignments, examining areas, x-ray machines, seating area for customs officials, computers and allied equipment. As of now, the airport has a 40-square metre facility in front of the main terminal now used for domestic freight.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)