Mumbai. 17 April 2020. With the recent directive by DGCA on commercial passenger aircraft used for cargo operations, GVK MIAL managing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) continues operating its cargo handling activities to cater to the greater need for mobilizing and supplying essential commodities across India and the world. As on April 16, CSMIA witnessed close to 5600 tonnes of export which included medicines, medical equipment, vaccines, diagnostic reagents, dangerous goods, engineering goods and chemicals while imports of approximately 3500 tonnes of freight including pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, engineering goods and chemicals amongst others.
Since the suspension of all commercial passenger flights to curb the spread of the virus, CSMIA has handled a total of around 9000 tonnes of freight as of April 16 which include 4000 tons of pharmaceuticals. The export flights majorly operate to countries such as USA, Germany, South Africa, France, United Kingdom. Scheduled freighters and ad-hoc cargo charters continue to remain operational at CSMIA.
Recently, CSMIA set a record for the highest number of cargo movements witnessed at the airport during these difficult times of the pandemic and lockdown conditions. The airport handled 707 tonnes exports and import delivery of 327 tonnes approximately; marking the highest number of imports and exports of cargo managed in a day despite limited resources amongst other challenges.
