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AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS), the cargo-handling subsidiary of the Airports Authority of India, will start operations on July 1.
Keku Bomi Gazder, an aviation consultant and former Regional Director, Cargo (Indian Sub-continent), for Saudia Airlines, was recently appointed CEO of AAI Cargo, which was formed in August 2016 following a de-merger of AAI’s cargo division to create an administratively independent organisation.
A notification issued by AAI, Chennai, said that from July 1, the subsidiary will carry out the billing of various cargo-handling activities.
For AAI, Chennai airport generates the maximum cargo traffic, followed by Kolkata.
The Chennai airport handled 3.59 lakh tonnes of cargo in 2016-17, against 3.16 lakh tonnes in the previous year, a 14 per cent growth, said G Chandramouli, Airport Director, AAI Chennai.
“We are focussing more on passenger amenities and services. It was felt that there was a need to have an exclusive unit to focus on cargo and enhancement of cargo traffic to compete with Bengaluru and Kochi airports that are major competitors for us,” he told.
AAI Chennai will provide support to the subsidiary till it becomes a self-sustaining business unit, while strategy and revenue generation will be their own initiative, Chandramouli further said.
The entire cargo-handling team at AAI Chennai is under deputation with the subsidiary. After some time, they will have their own team, Chandramouli added.
AAICLAS will work as a multi-modal interface linking air, surface and water transport to become the largest networked and fastest logistic solution provider company in India.
By 2022-23, the company’s vision is to handle 1.25 million tonnes of air cargo with a ₹750-crore revenue, and establish a free trade warehousing zone, according information available on its website.
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