Sources in the airport said while the new facility is ready, a nod from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which provides permission for such facilities to operate at any airport, is still awaited. “A team of BCAS personnel visited the facility earlier this week. They looked satisfied with the arrangements. However, they need to give us official permission to start the operations from the new facility. Our job is done. It is up to the BCAS now,” an airport official said.
Sources said that based on feelers from the BCAS team, approval to begin cargo services from the new terminal is expected by the second week of July. “They haven’t asked us to make any more changes. We are positive of getting the approval soon,” the official added.
Domestic cargo imports and exports as well as international cargo exports were stopped by the BCAS in January 2023 due to certain regulatory and infrastructural issues at the existing cargo processing area. Later, some airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo, were permitted to transport domestic cargo. Permission for international cargo exports was not given.
“Big exporters have somehow managed by transporting their cargo via Mumbai. However, the smaller traders are suffering. We hope the new facility starts soon,” said Tushar Sutar, the joint secretary of Exim Integrated Club.
“Either the work is going on at a very slow pace or the airport authorities are not pushing for the new facility to start. Even with two international flights, we can use the facility to export goods as Pune airport has got a trans-shipment facility.
However, for more than six months now, we have not been able to move out any cargo,” an exporter said.
