Precious Cargo Likely at Surat Airport, Boost for Diamond Trade

Surat: There is some good news for the gems and jewellery industry in the diamond city of Surat. Amidst the long-standing demand to start international cargo operations from Surat Airport, there is a strong possibility of starting precious cargo operations in the next few months.

The Surat Airport Authority has selected the location of MI room near the domestic cargo terminal for precious cargo operations and its design has been sent to Airport Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS).

Last November, AAICLAS officials visited Surat International Airport. Along with this, the officials held a meeting with representatives of GJEPC at the SGCCI headquarters and at Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) to check the possibility of international cargo from Surat.

The GJEPC made a strong presentation to start precious cargo for import and export of gems and jewellery from Surat Airport. Flights to Dubai, Sharjah and Bangkok take off from Surat. Good quality gems and jewellery are imported and exported from Surat to Dubai.

However, currently, imports and exports have to be done via Mumbai from Surat. More space is not required to start precious cargo. With international cargo starting from Surat, it will be easier to import and export to other countries via Dubai. Along with this, the possibility of import and export of gems and jewellery of 10 to 12 billion dollars per year was expressed.

After the visit of AAICLAS officials, the Surat Airport Authority sent a proposal of four locations for international cargo, including a terminal building, MI room, old hangar and a place for a new building.

Meanwhile, there is a strong possibility of starting precious cargo operations from Surat Airport in the first phase.

Airport sources said that the location of the MI room near the domestic cargo terminal for precious cargo has been decided and its design has been sent to the head office. Precious cargo operations will be started from Surat in about eight months after getting approval from AAICLAS. Precious cargo operations will be run in the MI room on trial basis for one to two years. After that, a new building will be constructed.