Mangaluru International Airport Commences International Cargo Operations
Mangaluru, July 07, 2024: The people of coastal Karnataka and the surrounding regions have a new reason to celebrate. On July 2, 2024, Mangaluru International Airport commenced its international cargo operations from its state-of-the-art integrated cargo terminal. The inaugural flight, IX 815, carried 2522 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables to Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of a new era for local exporters.
The formal launch of this much-anticipated facility took place on July 5, 2024, attended by the AAHL Cargo team, the leadership of Mangaluru International Airport, and representatives from Customs, IndiGo, Air India Express, and the Airport Security Group of CISF. This milestone comes just over a year after the airport began domestic cargo operations on May 1, 2023.
The journey to this point has been one of persistence and collaboration. On May 10, 2024, the Commissioner of Customs officially appointed the airport as a Custodian and a Customs Cargo Service Provider, paving the way for international cargo operations. The airport has worked tirelessly with regulatory authorities and airline partners to achieve this status, ensuring that the facility meets the highest standards.
For the people of coastal Karnataka, this development is more than just a new service; it is a significant opportunity. Local exporters now have the ability to send a wide variety of goods to international markets, including fresh fruits and vegetables, food, machine parts, textiles, shoes, tropical fish, frozen and dry fish, plastic coloring materials, and ship parts. This expanded reach is expected to boost the local economy and provide a vital link between regional producers and global markets.
The presence of major airlines like IndiGo and Air India Express, with their extensive connectivity, means that local exporters can now send their goods to destinations such as Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. This connectivity is not just a boon for businesses but also positions Mangaluru as a critical hub in the international trade network.
On the domestic front, Mangaluru International Airport has already demonstrated its capacity and efficiency. In its first 11 months of operation from May 1, 2023, the airport handled 3706.02 tonnes of cargo during the financial year 2024-25. This included 279.21 tonnes of inbound and 3426.8 tonnes of outbound cargo. Interestingly, 95% of the outbound domestic cargo consisted of post-office mail, including essential documents such as credit/debit cards and Aadhaar cards, highlighting the airport’s crucial role in connecting communities and supporting everyday life.
