Pune: The much-awaited international cargo export facility at Pune airport became operational on Tuesday.The facility, which will be a boon to many traders who have had to spend huge sums of money for transporting goods to Mumbai, has kicked off at a time when the Pune airport is in the midst of expansion and expected to add more international flights in the near future."Initially, the facility is expected to handle two tonnes of cargo daily. However, it is up to the airlines to decide on the same. All the required steps for seamless operation of cargo facility have been taken. A trial run was conducted on June 20," Pune airport director Ajay Kumar said.The facility is expected to handle 40,600 tonnes of cargo per annum.Talks on starting the facility started since late last year with business organisations of the city asking for the same. However, it could not start operation as clearance was pending for long from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). In January this year, a team of officials from BCAS visited Pune and met AAI officials. The team suggested that the airport begin international cargo operation soon. Clearance in this regard had already been given by the customs.Anant Sardeshmukh, director general of the Marhatta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), said that they had been pitching for the facility since long."It is the beginning of a new era for Pune. A lot of commodities from Pune go to several countries. For example, fruits and vegetables go to the Middle East. Machine spare parts, components etc mainly go to countries in Europe and North America as well as Africa. With this facility having started now, traders have got what they were wishing for since long. They can directly send products from Pune airport rather than through Mumbai and save on transportation cost. There are international flights to the Middle East from Pune. We are sure that the response will be good," Sardeshmukh told TOI.An airline official, who refused to be named, said, "We are starting a new flight to Dubai soon and the cargo facility from here will surely boost the business of airlines."In earlier talks with TOI, aviation expert and analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar had said that with the domestic cargo operation doing well in Pune, international cargo exports will be an add-on feature."Pune is a hub of international and domestic cargo originating from western Maharashtra and deserves to have its own full-fledged international cargo complex. There is heavy cargo movement from Pune comprising mainly of aerospace and defence, automotive, chemicals, consumer durables, electronic and electrical, healthcare and pharmaceuticals etc. It is said that of the total cargo moving out of Mumbai Airport, almost 40% is from Pune," he said.

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