The integrated cargo complex at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport has attracted motor parts manufacturers, pharma industry and e-commerce players with items arriving from Delhi as well as Bengaluru.
The most sought-after destinations for the cargo are Bengaluru and Hyderabad by Mohali’s industrialists, said Chandigarh International Airport Limited CEO Rakesh Ranjan Sahay.
“Mohali industry is getting benefits of the air cargo unit. In December only, the unit handled 92 tonnes of cargo. We are even capable of handling international cargo. The volume of cargo is less but in the coming time, we will pick up. We are getting queries from Ludhiana and other industrial towns of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh,” he added.
The cargo complex was made operational, after a delay of two years, in July and the Day 1 saw bookings of 1,889kg for Delhi and 2,182kg for Bengaluru.
RA status was granted to cargo operations on June 7. At present, the unit handles domestic cargo only and awaiting customs clearance for international operations.
Sahay said Vistara, Air India, and IndiGo are handling the cargo and getting the load on daily basis. “This is the only airport in northern region after Delhi with 2,500 MT cargo facility,” he added.
The complex with perishable cargo centre has been built with five sheds, including one cold room, at a cost of Rs 12.45 crore.