Mumbai International Airport Expands it’s Cargo Network in China with Direct Flights

By Editor 11-Dec-2019

News

GVK led Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) announced the launch of Sichuan Airlines cargo freighter service from Mumbai Airport. Commenced on 8th December 2019, the flight from Xi’an to Mumbai to Nantong operates with the carrier’s widebody Airbus 330-200F aircraft. The first flight arrived with an import tonnage of 50Tons. This new service will have two weekly flights arriving in Mumbai at 01:30 AM and departing from CSMIA at 04:25 AM respectively.

Headquartered at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu (Sichuan), the airline serves as a gateway to South East Asia, North Asia, Europe, Oceania and US. The commencement of the airline’s freighter service will further enhance the cargo capacity and connectivity between Mumbai and China region. At CSMIA, the combination of cargo aircraft and passenger flight capacity offers services to 160 destinations in 29 countries. Mumbai International Airport currently serves as a major hub for China based airlines like Air China, China Airlines and Unitop Airlines. The induction of Sichuan Airlines will further increase the growth between the two cities and fuel economic development by improving the export and import of goods and services from both the cities.

India and China’s bilateral trade has grown four-fold in the past decade. To further strengthen the logistics and trade relationship with the country, CSMIA through its world class services offers yet another flexible option benefitting both the countries. CSMIA is the first airport in India and third in Asia to obtain “IATA CEIV Pharma” accreditation, an industry recognition of compliance with pharmaceutical manufacturers' requirements that include well maintained and structured practices adopted in the pharmaceutical terminal, state-of-the-art infrastructure and capacity processes.

Connecting to over 500 cargo destinations, CSMIA is a gateway for Pharmaceuticals, Perishables, and Engineering goods to India. Aiming to be the first ever airport in the country with the largest airport-based Pharma facility, CSMIA is currently working towards a capacity of 450000 MT. CSMIA also plans to launch the "Cooltainer Operations" for temperature-controlled transport for pharmaceuticals between terminal and tarmac.

 GVK CSMIA through its varied services is not only connecting Mumbai to other parts of the world but is also bridging freighter service gaps for neighboring cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Nashik, Nagpur, amongst others. Sichuan Airlines will make it easier for the traders from China and India to exchange goods between the destinations, thus boosting economic activity between the two countries.