Civil Aviation Ministry to improve facilities for cargo trade: Ajit Singh

The Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to improve the facilities for cargo trade development activities in the country, Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said on Monday.

Declaring this at the inauguration of international cargo complex at the airport, Mr Singh said the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has strategically decided to utilise the old passenger terminal buildings, where new terminal buildings have been commissioned, as cargo terminals with minor modifications.

Under this plan, 24 airports are envisaged to be undertaken as domestic cargo operations and requisite cargo terminal facility will be set up after feasibility study, thereby meeting socio-economic responsibility to develop the region, Mr Singh said.

The facility inaugurated at Mangalore airport ranks eighth in domestic cargo handling, he added.

Regarding compensation to kin of victims of 2010 Mangalore air crash, he said the matter is likely to come up in Supreme Court and government will honour whatever decision it takes.

Mr Singh said Air India plans to launch direct flight from here to Damman twice a week with effect from March 31. He also said there is a potential for further enhancement of traffic from Mangalore, particularly to Gulf countries.