The new cargo terminal at Mangaluru Airport starts international operations on July 2, 2024.
The integrated cargo terminal at Mangaluru International Airport has officially commenced international operations, marked by an Air India Express flight IX 815 transporting 2,522 kgs of fresh fruits and vegetables to Abu Dhabi on July 2, 2024. The ceremonial launch on July 5, 2024, saw the presence of the AAHL Cargo team, airport leadership, and representatives from Customs, IndiGo, Air India Express, and CISF.
Mangaluru International Airport, Karnataka’s second busiest international airport, is located 16 km from the city of Mangaluru. The cargo complex offers various services including dedicated warehouse space for export-import cargo, a customs office with a dedicated team and banking facilities, bonded trucking, temperature-controlled cold storage, strong rooms for valuable cargo, and mail and courier handling.
This development follows the commencement of domestic cargo operations on May 1, 2023. The Commissioner of Customs appointed the airport as a custodian and customs cargo service provider on May 10, 2024, facilitating the start of international cargo services. The international operations are expected to boost exports from coastal Karnataka, Kerala, and the hinterland, with connections to key destinations in the Middle East.
IndiGo and Air India Express will support exports to cities including Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. In its first 11 months of domestic operations, the airport handled 3,706.02 tonnes of cargo, with outbound cargo predominantly consisting of post-office mail and bank and UIDAI-related documents.
