New Cargo Exports Terminal to be launched in January
SriLankan Cargo has taken over the long-awaited new cargo terminal
building at the BIA and is set to launch the Cargo Centre’s Export
Operations through this terminal in January 2010, which is expected to
double the current handling capacity.
The keys to the building were handed over by Airport and Aviation
Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd, and the facility is now undergoing certain
internal modifications in preparation for the launch.
Highlights
* Cargo business contributes approximately
14 percent to group’s revenue
* SriLankan main handling agent for all
airlines
* New building to increase warehouse and
handling capacity. |
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The new
terminal complex |
Head of Worldwide Sales Mohamed Fazeel said, “Cargo is a key area of
the airline’s business and contributes approximately 14 percent annually
to the group’s revenue. The new building will place the airline in an
ideal position to capitalise on the expected increased cargo traffic as
the country begins an economic revival and the world comes out of its
economic crisis.”
SriLankan is the main handling agent for all airlines that operate to
BIA, and is looking forward to a steady growth in its operations with
the dawn of peace in the country.
Manager Cargo Operations, Janaka Munasinghe said, “This is a giant
leap forward for SriLankan Cargo, and indeed for SriLankan Airlines. The
new building will greatly increase our warehouse and handling capacity
to approximately 300,000 metric tons of cargo per annum. The staff of
SriLankan Cargo has been eagerly awaiting this new venture.”
The new building, of 13,300 square metres on two floors, will include
facilities for Perishables, Courier Cargo, P.O. Mail, Customer
Facilitation Centre, Cool Rooms and Freezer Rooms, Cargo Acceptance
Points, Customs Safe Vaults (Valuables), Animal Holding Rooms, Animal
and Plant Quarantine Offices. The new facility will further enhance
all-round efficiency and handling speed as it will include Palette
Build-up Stations and Barcode Scanners to further enhance capacity, and
CCTV to increase security throughout the premises. The existing cargo
terminal building will be dedicated for Imports.
SriLankan Cargo has positioned Colombo as the “Hub in the Ocean”
strategically placed midway in the East-West trade route connecting
Europe and the Middle East to South East Asia and the Far East.
SriLankan also provides rapid connections through Colombo for cargo
into and out of the Subcontinent, serving India’s booming economy. The
Cargo Centre operates at a high level of efficiency, which is constantly
monitored by a cross-functional committee.
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