The Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) a GVK-led company that manages the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has exported 5,200 tonnes of medicines, medical equipment, vaccines, diagnostic reagents, chemicals, dangerous and engineering goods, and imported 3,324 tonnes of freight including high volumes of commodities such as pharmaceuticals, as well as chemicals, dangerous and engineering goods, since March 23.
“CSMIA air cargo has traded a total of 3,788 tonnes of pharma products within India and globally, as the airport holds the first rank for pharma cargo operations in the country,” a MIAL release said.
On an average, Mumbai airport witnesses eight to nine cargo flights per day with export flights operating mainly to the US, UK, Germany, South Africa, and France. Scheduled freighters and ad hoc cargo charters have continued to remain operational during the lockdown.
MIAL set a record for the highest number of cargo movements witnessed at the airport during these difficult times of the pandemic and lockdown conditions.
On Wednesday, the airport handled approximately 707 tonnes exports and 286 tonnes of import deliveries, emerging as the only gateway to the country to have managed the highest number of cargo imports and exports in a single day despite limited resources amongst other challenges.
In total, the airport had recorded an import record of 270 tonnes of freight last week.
MIAL is undertaking all standard precautionary measures; the airport is regularly sanitising and disinfecting the cargo facility. It is also providing masks and utility hands to its staff. Further, MIAL is imparting daily briefing on social distancing and safety precautions along with addressing medical emergencies.
“The cargo operations continue to work tirelessly, with skeletal staff, to process the export-import cargo movements. In coordination with the Mumbai Police and BEST, special passes have been issued, and transportation has been arranged for facilitating staff commute to the airport,” the release added.
