Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 4: Domestic air cargo services to various cities in the country will become operational from the local airport from next week onward, informed director of the local airport, J T Radhakrishna. A decision on this aspect was taken after a team of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) arrived here from Hyderabad on Tuesday and scrutinized the entire security system concerning cargo handling.

The team which came from Hyderabad was led by deputy commissioner, P U Mathai. The final report about security clearance will be issued by the New Delhi central office of BCAS. This clearance is expected to be received within a week. As soon as this certificate is received, cargo handling service will officially begin.

Airports Authority of India has decided to begin air cargo services newly from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Tiruchinapalli and Mangaluru airports. This service is expected to prove a boost for the business and industries functioning in the coast.

The contract for handling air cargo has already been outsourced to Central Cargo Services from Mumbai,, which has already been providing its services in this field. This firm is serving through eight leading airports in the country including New Delhi and Mumbai.

Space needed for handling this cargo has been provided at Deccan Park area at the airport. The firm to which contract has been given will employ staff for handling the cargo, besides undertaking loading and unloading systems, baggage scanning system etc. The firm will be paid on the basis of tonnage of cargo it handles.

Cargo will be transported through flights operating from the city here. Flight operators will be opening counters in the airport for handling air cargo. As there are agreements between flight operators and connecting flights, cargo can be sent to all places in the country having an airport, it is learnt.