Civil aviation ministry policy to provide boost for cargo-based airports

New Delhi: In a move expected to provide a much-needed boost to the air cargo segment, which is yet to experience the same levels of growth as other segments of the civil aviation sector, the civil aviation ministry is framing a policy for development of airports aimed only at cargo operations.

According to ministry sources, the development of such cargo-based airports is likely to attract substantial private investment. A host of private companies, including the Reliance and Tata groups, have recently shown interest in starting dedicated air cargo services. A policy addressing the cargo segment is also likely to encourage foreign participation in the sector, sources added.

To help formulate the policy, the civil aviation ministry has begun the task of identifying the requirements of different sectors, including those of perishable goods as well as consumer durables.

Nagpur has already been developed as a cargo hub, and it is expected that the new policy will lead to the development of cargo-based airports at other locations or business centres.