The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has relaxed the mandatory requirement of re-screening of transit cargo giving a boost to transshipment of goods via Indian hubs.
Currently all goods that are transshipped via airports in India need to be x-rayed (security screened) during transit. The rule also applies to domestic cargo if there is a change in aircraft at the transit airport. This adds to the cost and ground time making Indian airlines and airports less competitive in comparison to their competitors in the region.
Following multiple representations by industry bodies such as Air Cargo Forum of India, the rule has been amended. Transfer or transit cargo can be flown without re-screening subject to certain conditions, BCAS said in its directions issued on Thursday.
This includes creation of a dedicated transfer cargo security hold area (TCSHA) where all transfer cargo will be stored and protected from unauthorised interference through security control measures. All such cargo will also have to be escorted by security staff to and from aircraft. There are also certain restrictions – cargo that has been tampered or deemed high-risk will need to be x-rayed in case of transit.
The air cargo industry has welcomed the move. “Transfer or transit cargo accounts for less than 10 per cent of India’s total air cargo volume. The BCAS directions are a welcome step and will help India achieve its ambitions of handling 10 million tonnes of air cargo by 2030,” said Manoj Singh, a senior air cargo professional.
In FY 2024 India handled 3.36 million tonnes of cargo .
The relaxation will help Air India and IndiGo to grow their cargo volume and attract high yielding freight. Thus, while Air India flies to both US and Australia it carries very little cargo between the two countries because of cumbersome procedures in India.
New rule
“The new rule will aid the airlines but there will be certain additional security-related costs and these would need to be evaluated,” said a senior airline executive. Among the airports Delhi had taken the initiative to grow the transshipment business by developing traffic lanes between Bangladesh and Europe.
“The BCAS guidelines aligns India with global cargo standards and strengthens our position as a key logistics hub in the region. We fully support the initiative and look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to bring it to life,” said Express Industry Council of India CEO Vijay Kumar.
