FIEO members suggest improvements at New Bangaluru Airport
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The new Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) at Devanahalli is ready to commence operations from April. Two cargo complexes inside the airport, namely Menzies-Aviation Bobba and Air India-Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd (SATS), have a combined capacity to handle 3,00,000 tons of cargo annually. The complexes are spread in an area of roughly 15 acres. Electronic security devices have been installed in the complexes to minimise theft or unlawful removal or cargo. |
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| Mr. Tarun Sethi, Commercial Manager, Menzies Aviation Bobba P. Ltd. explaining about the facilities at Air Cargo Complex to FIEO delegates |
The new Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) at Devanahalli is ready to commence operations from April. Two cargo complexes inside the airport, namely Menzies-Aviation Bobba and Air India-Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd (SATS), have a combined capacity to handle 3,00,000 tons of cargo annually. The complexes are spread in an area of roughly 15 acres. Electronic security devices have been installed in the complexes to minimise theft or unlawful removal or cargo.
In order to familiarize members with the architectural layout and operational features of the cargo complexes, FIEO’s Karnataka Chapter arranged a visit of 18 members to these complexes on 26th February. Mr. Tarun Sethi, Commercial Manager, Menzies Aviation Bobba Pvt Ltd, who received the delegation, gave an on-site presentation on the facilities to be offered in the complexes. According to him, a combined investment of approximately Rs 150 crore has gone into the complexes, which have initial operational contract for 20 years.
The visiting members suggested that the connectivity from the main city of Bangalore to the airport, which is 35 km away, is very poor and lot needs to be done to improve roads and transport facilities. The members further suggested that the minimum temperature in the cold storage facilities is only upto -4°C whereas some highly perishable cargo needs minimum temperatures upto –20°C. Members also felt that the area earmarked for cold storage facility is insufficient.
FIEO members observed that the customs examination area was very small which might lead to congestion during peak hours. They also felt a need to make separate high security area for inspection of gold & diamond jewellery. There is no provision for service centre in the cargo complex where exporters, importers or their agents could do documentation works, said the members.
Export from Karnataka is growing phenomenally over the last few years. The volume of import also is growing substantially. The air cargo traffic from Bangalore has zoomed to a whopping 85,000 tons during the year 2006-07. Garments, leather goods, silk fabrics, electronic and engineering goods, medical equipments and pharmaceuticals form the bulk of exports, while electronic goods and computer hardware, accessories, watches, clocks and components form the chunk of imports.
International airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and private courier firms like DHL and FedEx, etc. are operating regular cargo flights to Bangalore, but the existing cargo complex outside the airport terminal is cramped so much so that many exporters and importers are compelled to divert their cargo to Chennai. The industry hopes that the new airport will take care of this
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Cargo Forecast for Bangalore Airport (in ton) |
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