Mumbai airport cargo goes paper-free

Now, the clearance of cargo goods at the airport is all set to get smoother. Airport authorities have made the cargo handling division paperless with all entries of imported-exported goods to be done online.
An official from Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) said the airlines and agents will now have to issue online delivery order messages.

"The system has the capability to validate orders online before the generation of final gate pass and, thereby, ease the operational work," said a senior MIAL official.

The new system with a unified electronic platform will strengthen digital interface between cargo terminal operator and all air cargo stakeholders, including customs, custom brokers, airlines, freight forwarders, shippers, consignees and other statutory bodies, airport officials added.

According to industry insiders, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai are the major hubs for export-import in the country, with Hyderabad and Bangalore catching up fast.

Last year, MIAL, the operator of city airport, had accused many major courier companies of indulging in malpractices to save money. In a complaint to the customs commissioner, MIAL has alleged that the big players had been diverting the cargo to parcel section, causing massive loss of revenue to them and the government.