Air cargo facility revived in Vizag to be extended to Rajamahendravaram, Tirupati and Vijayawada

After restoration of air cargo movement from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Government with the patronage of the Ministry of Civil Aviation is taking steps to extend the facility to Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram and Tirupati in phases.

The decision was taken on the advice of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu after representatives from the trade and commerce. The facility was discontinued during the pandemic. Union Civil Aviation of Minister Kinjarapu Ramamohan Naidu, who was present during the meeting at the CII Partnership Summit here recently directed the officials concerned to immediately start the facility in Visakhapatnam, considered the commercial hub of Andhra Pradesh. He said in due course of time, air cargo facilities will be introduced in other airports across Andhra Pradesh as there is a huge potential for export of pharmaceutical, industrial spare parts, frozen seafood and aquaculture products and horticulture crops like mangoes.

Air Cargo Forum of India (ACFI) Andhra Pradesh chapter chairman G. Sambasiva Rao told Bizz Buzz on Tuesday that Airport Authority of India Ltd, as a custodian should ensure handling of air cargo for both exports and imports from Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Rajamahendravaram in a time-bound manner. He welcomed the commencement of the facility from Visakhapatnam on the intervention of the Chief Minister and Civil Aviation Minister and asked them to expedite the process to extend the facility at other airports. He said in future, Kurnool should also have car cargo movement and suggested improvement of air cargo storage and other facilities at Visakhapatnam Airport.

He said besides pharmaceuticals, industrial and defence spare parts, there is huge potential for export of frozen shrimp and mangoes from areas like Godavari districts and Vizianagaram. He said mangoes produced in Vizianagaram are in high demand in Russia and felt that more export and import facilities will improve the livelihood of DWCRA members and local youth. Chittoor has a good market for its mangoes in the overseas market.

Before the revival of air cargo transport, export products used to be transported by road to Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad for sending them abroad. Now these products can be transhipped from Visakhapatnam to any corner in the world. Exploring the full potential will also give a big scope to grow to several agriculture-based startups, Sambasiva Rao stated.

Nearly 200 tonnes of gold is being imported per annum from Andhra Pradesh for consumption locally. Seafood like crab, prawns, tuna and miscellaneous fish have big potential for exports..Diamond processing units located at Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone will be benefited if air transport is provided.

Commenting on Rajamahendravaram region, he said most of the oil exploration activities are happening at Godavari Basin. For the exploration activity they need spares, chemicals which have to be imported. The industries in and around Kakinada will benefit. In addition to the prawns, crabs, fish, fruits and vegetables can also be exported from there. There is a possibility to export flowers from Kadiyam and also plants from the nurseries of East Godavari in and around the Kadiyam area. There are three operating sea ports and one more sea port coming up in that area. By this the shipping industry requirements, farmers, existing industries, and the oil exploring sector will benefit a lot because of cargo operations. At present air cargo handling facility is available to a limited extent at Rajamahendravaram.

Vijayawada, located close to Amartavati has immense potential for transportation of pickles, sweets, Kondapalli toys, mangoes like Nujiveedu varieties and other mangoes and fruits from that area.

On potential from Tirupati, Rao said the location of several SEZs and industrial parks like Sri City, industries in and around Chittoor, Kurnool and Kadapa will grow if air cargo facility is provided. This will also give a shot in the arm to the MSMEs.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Travellers' Association (APATA) expressed its satisfaction over restoration of international air cargo operations from Visakhapatnam International Airport. At present, there are international flights to Singapore and Abhu Dhabi. Both are doing well with over 90% occupancy on most days.

The commencement of international air cargo operations from the city brought a big relief to companies like Jawaharlal Pharma City (JNPC), Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC), AP Special Economic Zone, Visakhapatnam SEZ and others.

APATA.office-bearers K.Kumar Raja, D.S.Varm and O. Naresh Kumar thanked the Chief Minister, the Civil Aviation Minister and others for conceding their demand.