Technology is trumps
The outbreak of Covid-19 has increased demand for vaccines. Thus airports in India, one of the leading pharmaceuticals producers in the world, are modernising their corresponding infrastructure. ITJ correspondent Manik Mehta spoke to the cargo manager of one ambitious player.
The South Indian city of Bengaluru’s airport, officially known as Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (Kiab), is currently in the process of getting a revamp. The process is most visible in the modernisation and expansion of existing facilities and equipment at the gateway with the Iata code BLR.
A cargo hub for South India
According to the operating company Bangalore International Airport Limited (Bial), the airport in the city formerly known as Bangalore is strategically located in the immediate proximity of several major manufacturing areas in South India. It has thus developed into more than a regional aviation hub for the state of Karnataka. Satyaki Raghunath, who is in charge of strategy and development at Bial, told the ITJ that this will also lead to strong growth in air cargo traffic.
Expansion on the 1,600 ha site also includes developing a second parallel runway, independent of the first one, a new cargo terminal, as well as a second passenger terminal. The fact that the two major cargo-handling service providers – Air India Sats and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore – already operate there furthers the airport’s self-image as South India’s premier cargo hub and as the number three in the entire country, after Mumbai and New Delhi airports.
“Currently our cargo capacity amounts to around 720,000 t per annum, but can be increased to approximately 850,000 t in the long run. Our aim is to develop the infrastructure so that we can offer a total capacity of around 1 million t in the next few years,” Raghunath explains.
Ahead of the Indian competition
Unlike many Indian airports whose ability to compete has suffered in the past from largely outdated as well as inadequate infrastructure, Bial’s planners recognised and implemented early on the need to modernise and expand the gateway, in order to cope with growing cargo volumes.
Today, the four cargo terminals in the airport in India’s Silicon Valley – Aisats Coolport, the Blue Dart Express cargo terminal (pictured), and the Air India Sats and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore facilities mentioned above – are among those with the highest levels of automation at all Indian airports. They’re packed full of systems needed to efficiently handle all types of goods.
That’s not all, either. In addition to a 930 m2 bonded warehouse, BLR houses the first airfreight express terminal in the nation, was the first to receive Iata e-freight certification, and is the only one in India to comply with Isago regulations. “In addition, the airport operates a narcotics control bureau as well as an animal quarantine facility,” Raghunath adds.
According to the manager BLR maintains air cargo links with 70 domestic as well as 20 international destinations. Export traffic consists mostly of fresh and perishable agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals and textiles; imports, in turn, are made up mostly of electronics, heavy machinery and auto accessories. The main export destinations are the Arab countries, Europe and North America; most imports come from Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Ways to increase efficiency
The hub handles around 30 cargo movements a day (maindeck as well as belly operations), which makes capacity expansion a matter of urgency. Since the gateway opened in 2008 the volumes handled have almost tripled, coming to approximately 387,000 t in 2018.
Raghunath underlines the fact that “Bial is continuously working to increase its operational efficiency, by installing the latest infrastructure and technology and offering customers reliable services.”
An express terminal and a new bonded warehouse, which provides value-adding services, including labelling, packing and repacking, are expected to attract cargo flows from all over South India. An airport cargo community system digital platform will simplify information processes.
Other initiatives to enhance cargo operations include a 2 ha truck parking area and a connectivity system, called ‘LoginConnect’, to attract RFS traffic. It routes open and bonded shipments from South India to Kiab.