Mangalore airport to get a cargo complex

Now, Mangalore airport is all set to get an air cargo complex. In a notification dated January 31, the Department of Customs has notified the air cargo complex at Mangalore airport. Mohammed Ameen, president of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said KCCI has been demanding this facility at Mangalore airport for a long time.

Flow of air cargo despatches from Mangalore airport to various overseas destinations will begin with the notification. This will encourage exporters and manufacturers of consumable items. The notification will help export agricultural, horticultural and fisheries products from Mangalore and strengthen the economy, he said.

MR Vasudeva, Co-ordinator of Karnataka NRI Forum in Mangalore, said this notification will permit the import and export from Mangalore airport. Till now, it was not allowed at the airport. Now, the Customs Department has to bestow custodianship of cargo on some agency, he said.

JT Radhakrishna, Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Mangalore, said that infrastructure is ready at the airport for the establishment of an air cargo complex.