GMR Airports targets 65 percent of Goa’s air cargo, focusing on pharmaceuticals and perishables.
GMR Airports, managing Mopa’s Manohar International Airport through GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL), is making a significant push into air cargo transportation, particularly for pharmaceuticals and perishable goods. With Goa generating around 46,000 metric tonnes of cargo, GGIAL aims to capture 65 percent of this market over the next two to four years.
To achieve this, a comprehensive roadmap emphasising skill development, regulatory support, and infrastructure is essential, according to industry experts. Thakur Purshottam Singh, GGIAL’s business head for air cargo, stated that Phase I projections include handling 30,000 metric tonnes of cargo. He noted that remaining cargo needs could be managed by the port and an inland container terminal by Konkan Railway.
Since commencing air cargo operations on September 8, Manohar International Airport has managed 3,000 metric tonnes of international and 2,000 metric tonnes of domestic cargo. The airport’s strategic location near the Maharashtra and Karnataka borders positions it to serve all three states, potentially becoming Western India’s second-largest air cargo hub.
“We have an expandable land parcel ideal for accelerating infrastructure development,” said Singh, recently appointed chairman of the Air Cargo Forum India’s Goa chapter. He highlighted Goa’s significant potential in the logistics sector, driven by increased cargo volumes as pharmaceutical companies from Goa and Mumbai start utilising the facility.
However, Singh identified a shortage of skilled workforce as a critical challenge. “Skilling is one area where we are lacking,” he remarked, emphasising that logistics could create new jobs in IT and transportation, contributing to Goa’s economic growth.
