India's first on-airport perishable cargo centre set up at KIA

The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday got the country’s first integrated on-airport perishable cargo handing centre, “AISATS Coolport”. The 11,000 sqm facility, built at a cost of Rs 48 crore, was inaugurated by Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development R V Deshpande.

The launch of Coolport is expected to meet processing requirements of perishable cargo products such as pharmaceuticals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat and seafood.

Coolport can handle 40,000 tonnes per annum with customised cold storage solutions comprising 17 dedicated cold rooms.

“Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) has a robust plan and strategic intent to grow the cargo business. Our aim is to create an environment that enables our cargo partners to introduce new initiatives and facilities that cater to the burgeoning cargo demand of this region,” BIAL’s president, Airport Operations, Hari Marar said.

The trial operations of Coolport from October 2016 through January 2017, witnessed a 27% growth in the perishable tonnage in comparison to the same period last year.