CSMIA records a 6% YoY increase in overall cargo volumes

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has released a statement announcing the achievements of its cargo operations during the fiscal year 2023-2024. According to the statement, CSMIA was able to connect to more than 700 cargo destinations during this fiscal year, resulting in a notable 6% year-on-year increase in overall cargo volumes. This increase indicates a significant step forward in economic recovery, following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This boost was primarily driven by a remarkable 10% increase in international cargo volumes. This indicates that global trade and logistics have recovered impressively, with volumes recovering to 93% of pre-COVID levels. The total number of Cargo Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) increased by 20% during this fiscal year.

The percentage of exports and imports in the CSMIA's foreign cargo volumes was 56%. In terms of outgoing cargo, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad led domestically, while the top global destinations were London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Chicago, and Amsterdam. In addition to Indigo, Vistara, and Akasa Air as top domestic carriers, the top international carriers handling cargo volumes from CSMIA were Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific, states the official release.

The increase in e-commerce shipments had a significant impact on CSMIA's cargo operations. The festive season of Diwali saw an 87% year-on-year increase in e-commerce shipments. The demand for perishable items also increased significantly. Mango exports were particularly strong from April to July 2023, with seasonal cut flowers and chocolates also exported around Valentine's Day. Furthermore, CSMIA successfully handled its first shipment of frozen ready-to-serve food products, such as Idli and Vada, using specialised va-Q-tec containers bound for Amsterdam.

Moreover, the industry's most recent trends show a significant increase in air cargo volumes, which is mostly attributable to difficulties moving containers across the Red Sea. International cargo increased by about 22% in Q4 of FY 2024 over the same period the year before, demonstrating the flexibility of air cargo in responding to supply chain disruptions and satisfying consumer demands, mentions the release.

CSMIA's cargo facility handles a variety of goods, with automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products being the top three international transportation categories. Meanwhile, domestically, the most popular cargo categories are general cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail.

To enhance the infrastructure and facilitate the adoption of advanced technology, “MIAL is in the process of building PEB (Pre-Engineered Building Structure) to enhance its cargo handling capacity in imports.”