A new cargo terminal at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport was inaugurated last week after a 10-month delay for regulatory approvals and the implementation of operational works.

The new terminal, which can handle 100 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo per day and 3,500 MTs per month when operating round the clock, will improve SVPI airport's import and export traffic.

According to a statement released by the SVPI airport operator, Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the additional cargo handling capacity at the airport provides an extra choice of services for the trade at the airport, in addition to adding incremental cargo handling capacity to the airport's cargo infrastructure.

The infrastructure and accessibility of the new cargo terminal to both domestic and international passenger terminals are projected to improve cargo handling service levels at the airport at a major level.

The terminal offers complete terminal handling services, including cityside handling, security functions, storage, terminal processing, and airside handling, all of which are closely monitored and supervised to assure cargo safety.

All foreign freight is currently handled by Gujarat State Export Corporation (GSEC) Limited's Ahmedabad Air Cargo Complex.

According to estimates, the SVPI airport handled 60,749MT of cargo in the fiscal year (FY) 2020-21.

The new terminal can handle general pharmaceutical items, including perishable foods that must be kept between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Machinery components, console freight, readymade clothing, textiles, dyes, chemicals, expensive cargo, and other commodities will be handled at the terminal.

A dedicated airside trans-shipment facility and international courier handling corridor will be added to the terminal complex shortly.

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