Trivandrum International airport now has its own domestic air cargo facility, the Common User Domestic Cargo Terminal (CUDCT), set up by the Airports Authority of India. The 520-square foot facility cost approximately Rs 50 lakh to construct, became operational on October 5.
Airlines that will use the new facility to handle their cargo include Air India, Indigo, Jet Airways and Spice Jet, all of whom operate from the domestic terminal of the airport, where the facility is located. All customs and security clearance procedures will be carried out inside the facility, with an Rs 35-lakh X-Ray machine having been installed for cargo screening purposes.
The CUDCT was commissioned by the CEO of AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company, Keku Bomi Gazder. Gazder said the aim was to move air cargo with greater speed and efficiency. “We hope to have nearly 500 tonnes of cargo movement in the first month and an increase of 15% to 20% in the coming months,” said Gazder.
According to Airport Director George Tharakan, there should be a minimum of 200 tonne cargo transportation every day, considering the current flight movements at the airport. “Daily we have 50 flight movements at the airport. And assigning four tonnes for each flight, 200-tonne cargo movement is possible from the airport on a daily basis,” Tharakan commented. “But the present cargo movement is not more than 50 tonnes per day. We hope to improve the cargo movement through the CUDCT,” he concluded.
The new facility is to be managed by the AAI personnel.
