News Content

Coimbatore Airport to have automated cargo handling by December

THE Airports Authority of India along with its cargo services arm - AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company (AAICLAS) is working towards automating cargo handling and increasing cargo trade in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, said AAICLAS chief executive Keku Gazder.

Addressing members over an interactive session on "Business Promotion & Development of Air Cargo" organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, he said that automation of cargo handling facility would be implemented in Coimbatore Airport by end November, reported the Hindu daily of Chennai.

The focus would be on new businesses, products and new verticals in cargo trade besides development of pack house facilities and development of ICD, bonded truck and offshore AFS facilities in the region.

AAICLAS will also focus on development of apron for cargo docking and landing of wider bodied aircrafts and with respect to trucking, the company is looking towards bringing in a dedicated vertical within the organisation for implementing trucking facilities from the region.

The cargo movement from the region is growing at 15 to 20 per cent year on year and this is bound to see a surge with the proposed automation of cargo handing facilities and India's open space policy for cargo. "This is expected to attract freighter airlines to the city in the forthcoming months," said Mr Gazder.

On issues pertaining to upliftment of heavy equipment and machinery, Mr Gazder observed that the airport here is yet to develop capacity to uplift cargo by international airlines.

"AAICLAS will nevertheless work towards bringing in more freight carriers to reap the business potential in cargo trade," he said.

"Given the efforts undertaken towards increasing the runway length of the airport, the cargo trade from the region is set to increase exponentially once the landing of heavy freighters and wide-bodied aircraft becomes a reality," Mr Gazder said.