Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport (CSMIA) declared the remarkable accomplishments of its
cargo operations during the fiscal year 2023-2024, further solidifying its
position as a premier global cargo hub. With a connection to over 700 cargo
destinations this fiscal, CSMIA witnessed a noteworthy 6% year-on-year increase
in the overall cargo volumes, marking a significant stride in economic recovery
post the COVID-19 pandemic.
This boost was predominantly driven by a
remarkable 10% surge in international cargo volumes which appeared to have recovered 93% of pre-COVID levels; it clearly
indicates a strong resurgence in global logistics. CSMIA’s cargo facility
manages a diverse array of goods, with pharmaceuticals, agricultural products,
and automobiles being among the primary categories. On the international scale,
the top three categories transported are automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and
agricultural cargo. Meanwhile, domestically, the leading cargo categories
include General cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail. These categories underscore the airport’s
competent proficiency in handling a wide variety of goods.
The surge in e-commerce significantly
impacted cargo operations at CSMIA with a notable 87% year-on-year growth in
e-commerce shipments and an increase in the demand for perishable items. Mango
exports were particularly prominent during the months of April to July 2023,
accompanied by the export of seasonal cut flowers and chocolates during the
Valentine’s Day period. Additionally, in a groundbreaking achievement, CSMIA successfully handled its inaugural
shipment of frozen ready-to-serve food products, such as Idli and Vada, using
specialized va-Q-tec containers bound for Amsterdam.
London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Chicago, and
Amsterdam were the top global destinations for outgoing cargo, while Delhi,
Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad led domestically.
To enhance the infrastructure and
facilitate the adoption of advanced technology, MIAL is in process of building
PEB (Pre-Engineered Building Structure). Mobile apps like AMAX and Turant
enable transparent, paperless, and digital operations, eliminating physical documentation
for export consignments. Integrated processes like E-Airwaybill, e-carting
order, e-CSD, e-delivery orders, and e-gate passes ensure efficiency.