The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) today inaugurated India’s first dedicated Express Cargo Terminal for export and import of international couriers.

The terminal was inaugurated by M. Srinivas (IRS), Chief Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru Zone in the presence of Ashok (IRS), Principal Commissioner of Customs, Airport & Air Cargo Complex, Shiv Kumar Mohanka, Dy. Inspector General/ CASO, CISF ASG KIAB and Vijay Kumar, CEO, Express Industry Council of India (EICI).

The event was attended virtually by R S Subramanian, SVP & Managing Director, DHL Express India, Manish Patel, VP Operations, DHL Express India and Mohamad Sayegh, Vice President Operations – India, FedEx Express.

The terminal developed by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is a built-to-suit facility spread across 200,000 sq.ft. It will house leading global express courier organisations such as DHL Express and FedEx Express.

Express Industry Council of India (EICI) will operate the Common-User Express Terminal for other courier companies. The Common-user Terminal will add impetus to Bengaluru’s already strong e-commerce base. The Terminal will have a dedicated space for Customs offices, and direct access to both Landside and Airside.

“At South India’s busiest Cargo Airport, this exclusive Terminal for express couriers at BLR Airport will significantly boost the trade and economy of the region. The new Terminal will enable ease of doing business and reduce transaction time and cost for the shipper by providing a dedicated facility for express courier shipments.”
~M. Srinivas (IRS), Chief Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru Zone

“BLR Airport is well on track towards becoming a cargo hub, offering world-class infrastructure, powered by leading global logistics providers. With express courier gaining greater significance following the exponential growth of e-commerce, the Express Cargo Terminal at BLR Airport is a significant step towards supporting and driving this growth. In addition, it will facilitate trade and faster movement of goods across the world.”
~Hari Marar, MD & CEO, BIAL(TBC)

This new facility will enable BLR Airport to process 150,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) annually, taking the Airport’s overall annual cargo capacity to 720,000 MT, from the existing 570,000 MT.

Furthermore, this will offer operators with streamlined operational workflows the provision for future expansion. Mechanised truck docks will enable quicker acceptance and delivery of freight. The Terminal, with dedicated space for each operator, is expected to improve throughput and cater to the needs of the burgeoning industry.

“The Industry – led by EICI – created the Common-User Express Terminal at BLR Airport in 2008. EICI facilitated this terminal since there was a need for such a terminal to support the growth of the industry. BLR Airport, as we all know, is strategically located and is a major gateway for cross-border international trade in South India. With BIAL creating India’s first dedicated Express Cargo Terminal, the express industry has now got a major boost to continue growing the express business and achieve greater heights.”
~Vijay Kumar, CEO, EICI

The introduction of the Express Cargo Terminal will go a long way in strengthening the express cargo market in South India.

SOURCE: logisticsinsider.in