Domestic air cargo traffic rises 25 per cent in 2009-10
27 Aug 2010
Domestic air cargo traffic registered a 25-per cent increase in 2009-10 to 691 metric tonnes (mt) over the previous year's 552 mt, marginally exceeding the government target of 686 mt for the country's all airports, according to information provided by Praful Patel, minister for Civil Aviation, in Lok Sabha yesterday.
Although international cargo movement rose by over 10 per cent to 1270 mt for the year compared to 2008-09, it fell short of the target of 1402 mt by around 9 per cent, primarily on account of the global economic slow down.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) has forecasted around 10-per cent annual growth in international cargo traffic for the next five years from 2010-11 to 2014-15. For the domestic cargo, the anticipated growth is around 15 per cent in the first two years and 12 per cent in the subsequent years.
The statement said that several steps are being taken to improve cargo handling facilities at the country's various airports.
In Kolkata, the phase 1 of new integrated cargo terminal was made operational in 2008 increasing the total cargo usage area to 21,906 sq.m with an annual capacity of 1.25 lakh mt.
In Chennai, phase 3 and 4 of the cargo terminal under construction will enhance the handling capacity from the present 3.5 lakh mt to 5.15 lakh mt, covering an area of 54,620 sq.m.