Mangalore: Air cargo complex operational from May 1, utilization explained
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Apr 23: Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday April 23 organised an interactive meeting between the representatives of customs, airport director, airliners, travel agents and present and prospective air cargo exporters and importers in order to promote and utilize the newly established Mangalore International Air Cargo Complex at Mangalore International Airport.
The much-awaited Mangalore International Air Cargo Complex established by the Airports Authority of India at Mangalore International Airport was inaugurated and officially declared open by Ajith Singh, union minister for civil aviation on March 18. It will be operational from May 1.
Mohammed Amin, president of KCCI welcomed the guests. Informing the purpose of the meet, he said, "This meet has been organized in order to help people make optimum use of the facilities now available at the air cargo terminal and to know the demand for additional facilities that may be required in the future for expeditious movement of exim air freight."
V Shreenivas Phani, assistant commissioner of customs, Mangalore in his address explained the process of exporting cargo and said that it involves six step:
1. Filing bill of entry
2. Checking up
3. Appraising
4. Assesment
5. Pre-audit
6. Payment of customs duty
"The paper work is done at NMPT, Panambur and process works in accordance with the Customs Act 1962," he added.
"We already have the sea route for cargo which takes bulk goods. Now through airport the delivery will be quicker," he said, adding that about 90 percent of the goods have no customs duty on export.
"This is a new facility in Mangalore. We will upgrade it later depending on the volume of cargo. We may also introduce an exclusive aircraft facility for transporting goods," he said.
When a member from the audience asked how long the entire process takes, he said once the bill of entry is presented, the processing starts and the rest does not take long.
Airport director J T Radhakrishna said that there has been a 20 percent growth in passenger traffic at the Airport. "In 2003 there were only three flights, but now we have 20. Also other developments like runway, new terminal building, and granting of international status have taken place. Now, the air cargo complex will be the biggest advantage at the airport, which has already handled 10.3 lac passengers so far with a gross revenue of Rs 50 crore," he said.
For export the cargo charges are Rs 0.76 per kg and minimum rate of Rs 125 per consignment. For import, the charges are Rs 4.96 per kg and minimum rate of Rs 135 per consignment. The rates exclude service taxes. The tariff is uniform across all airports in India, Radhakrishna said.
Air India Mangalore station manager Melwin D'Silva said that with air cargo complex the airport has now truly become international. "Though international flights from Mangalore Airport were started in 2006, there was something missing, but now it is complete," he said.
"Air India is happy to carry cargo to places like Bahrain, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Kuwait and Mumbai on a daily basis and to Dubai twice daily. Air India is fully prepared and ready for cargo," he said.
"The flight is predominantly for passengers, and at a time can take up to one-and-a-half to 2 tonnes of cargo," he added.
When asked what happens if there is overload, he said that the process is undertaken by prior committment. "Let the process start and then we will know," he said.
Jeevan Saldanha, secretary of KCCI proposed the vote of thanks.