From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 22: Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, operated by Bengaluru International Airports Ltd (BIAL), has processed 180,745 kgs of pomegranates from April to August to emerge as the leading airport for pomegranate exports from India.

BIAL has also accounted for 99% of the total pomegranate exports from Karnataka, according to the data available from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS).

The fruit was exported to 12 international destinations by nine global freight carriers – Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

Powered by superior logistics and backed by two reputed cargo terminal operators – Air India SATS and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore, BLR Airport plays a key role in ensuring that products reach their destinations in good condition.

To retain the freshness of the fruits, the perishables are stored, cleared and moved to the aircraft on priority, with the required temperature controls in place, therefore reducing dwell time at terminals. The cargo infrastructure has been built to ensure the rapid distribution of perishable cargo, making BIAL the preferred cargo airport in South India.

BIAL has a dedicated cold zone – AISATS CoolPort - with the capacity to handle 40,000 MT per annum and temperature zones ranging from -25 to +25 degrees Centigrade, under the same roof and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore, with the capacity to handle 20,000 MT per annum.