Lok Sabha Question No. 64 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Cargo Terminal at Rajahmundry Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 64

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## CARGO TERMINAL AT RAJAHMUNDRY AIRPORT

64. DR. D. PURANDESWARI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) the status of the dedicated cargo terminal at Rajahmundry Airport in Andhra Pradesh to handle the export of perishable goods;
- (b) the  details  of  the  volume  of  shrimp  (aqua  products)  and  nursery  plants transported via air cargo from the Godavari region during the last financial year;
- (c) the  measures  taken  to  provide  cold  storage  facilities  at  the  airport  for  the floriculture products from Kadiyam nurseries;
- (d) the status of coordination with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to promote air export of Gl-tagged products from the region; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  Government's  plan  to  reduce  the  air  freight  charges  for  the farmers of the Godavari delta?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited  (AAICLAS)  has  established  a  dedicated  domestic  air  cargo  facility  at Rajahmundry  Airport.  Presently,  international  flight  operations  are  not  available from the Airport.
- (b) As per information received from IndiGo, which undertakes self-handling of the cargo terminal at Rajahmundry Airport, there was no movement of shrimp (aqua products)  or  nursery  plants  via  air  cargo  from  Rajahmundry/Godavari  region during the Financial Year 2024-2025.
- (c) The existing domestic air cargo facility at Rajahmundry Airport has an installed annual handling capacity of 17,200 MT, while the cargo throughput recorded during FY 2024-25 was 25 MT, indicating a capacity utilization of approximately  0.15%.  In  view  of  the  present  traffic  levels  and  low  capacity utilisation, the requirement for development of additional cargo-related facilities at the airport is not under consideration.
- (d) The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken several steps for promotion of APEDA scheduled GI-tag products from Andhra Pradesh. APEDA has organized Export-Oriented Capacity Development Programme to encourage exporters to explore array of products including GI products for promotion in the global market place. Further, APEDA facilitates regular export of Banganapalle mangoes and Guntur Sannam Chilli from Andhra Pradesh to different destinations with different modal transports including air transport.
- (e) Rates and charges on air cargo are applied by various service suppliers, including airlines, airports, freight forwarders/ customs house agents and first and last mile transport  providers.  These  are  competitively  determined  based  on  market dynamics.  The  Government's  approach  is  to  provide  suitable  policy  and congenial regulatory regime, for the encouragement of infrastructure development,  simplification  of  procedures,  technological  upgradation,  and deployment of  skilled  manpower,  all  aimed  at  efficient  and  cost-effective  air cargo services delivery.

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