Kempegowda International Airport to handle cargo smartly

An Air Cargo Community System (ACS) which would eliminate cargo related paperwork and pave the way for faster processing of freight at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is being planned.

The ACS is envisaged as an electronic platform for digital interactions between the various airport cargo stakeholders at KIA and the operators Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have issued a notice for Request for Proposal for implementing the system at the airport. Citing the objective of implementing the system at the airport, the Request for Proposal states that the ACS “would be an electronic platform for digital interactions between airport stakeholders such as shipper, freight forwarder, customs broker, custodians, ground handlers, airlines, transporters, consignees, customs and so on.”

The ACS is further expected to ease the processing of freight movement and ensure more transparency.

The Request for Proposal adds that the platform would lay the digital foundation for eliminating cargo related paperwork at the airport, faster processing of cargo, making information available to the cargo terminals and airlines prior to cargo reaching the airport.

“The objective of ACS at BLR is creating world class digital infrastructure and to exploit next generation technology for emerging Bengaluru into a successful air cargo hub,” it added.

City’s cargo

There are 12 cargo airlines connecting Bengaluru to the rest of the world from KIA. As per the 2018-19 data, the airport handled 386,780 MT cargo in the year. During this time, the international cargo processed was 242,650 MT while the domestic was 144,130 MT. The top exports from KIA are:

Perishables, textiles, high precision equipment, electronics, while top imports include electronics, heavy machinery, healthcare & life sciences and auto components. USA is the most preferred export destination followed by Qatar, Germany, the UK and Singapore. USA tops imports, followed by the UK, France, Italy.