The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has indicated that it might entrust cargo-handling operations at the Bajpe airport in Mangalore to Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL), a State-Government undertaking, according to official sources.
Senior MSIL officials visited the airport recently and expressed their satisfaction over the cargo-handling facilities, the sources said.
So far, Customs at the airport had permitted the handling of only bags and luggage at the airport and not cargo. If cargo operations were to take place, the Customs would first have to declare the airport fit for them, the sources said. Further, airline operators there would also have to be ready to operate cargo aircraft, they added.
Previously, the AAI itself had been planning to take up the responsibility of cargo operations at the airport. But it has now considered MSIL for the task as the company was already handling similar operations at the Bangalore airport, the sources said.
MSIL, however, was yet to take a final decision on whether to accept AAI's offer, they added.
According to former president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) G. Giridhar Prabhu, Mangalore had the potential to export 10 tonnes of vegetables per international flight. Further, 16 tonnes of gherkins could be exported per day either by the sea route or the air route.
He said there was scope to export vegetables not only to West Asian countries but also to other countries.
The region also had the potential to transport flowers, and fish and its products. Mr. Prabhu said the construction of a cold storage facility near the airport would help exporters. Sources said vegetables could also be transported from Hassan to other places through the Bajpe airport. Currently, vegetables from Hassan are being transported to Thiruvananthapuram through the Bangalore airport and other modes of transport.
(courtesy thehindu.com)
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