Noida: Continental Carriers has signed an MoU with Air India SATS Airport Services to enable transfer of export cargo to Noida International Airport. Under the agreement, customs-cleared cargo from Continental’s Kapashera air freight station will be transported via bonded trucking to AISATS’ integrated cargo terminal at Jewar for onward international dispatch.Officials said the move aims to strengthen air cargo logistics in northern India, and will facilitate secure and customs-compliant transfer of export transshipment cargo. The process includes coordinated handling, adherence to regulatory and customs protocols, and timely handover to designated airlines for onward international dispatch.The collaboration will provide exporters with a cost-effective and streamlined gateway to the new airport while accelerating cargo movement by airlines operating from Jewar. The model is expected to lower logistics costs by improving first-mile consolidation and terminal handling efficiencies, officials added.Continental’s managing director Vaibhav Vohra signed the MoU with AISATS CEO Ramanathan Rajamani on Friday at the multi-modal cargo hub (MMCH) in Jewar, in the presence of senior officials from both companies.Rajamani said the first phase of the Integrated Cargo Terminal (ICT), developed across 87 acres at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore, has been fully constructed and equipped and underwent extensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials covering end-to-end cargo flows, security screening, systems integration, and coordination with stakeholder agencies. The ICT is operationally prepared to commence commercial cargo handling in line with the airport’s launch schedule, he added.The inauguration date is yet to be formally announced, the CEO said, adding that work on Phase 2 will begin once around 80% of the initial handling capacity is utilised.AISATS completed installation and validation of key cargo-handling and security systems, including BCAS-approved X-ray machines for standard and outsized cargo, explosive trace detectors, door frame metal detectors, castor deck systems, and other material-handling equipment. The facility is compliant for both domestic and international cargo operations from day one, Rajamani said.The Phase-1 terminal has an annual handling capacity of 2.5 lakh metric tonnes and was designed with scalability to accommodate growth in express and e-commerce volumes in northern India.AISATS is also progressing on integration of the ICT with the proposed Integrated Warehousing and Logistics Zone (IWLZ), which is targeted for completion within 14 to 18 months.Around 125 personnel have been onboarded for cargo operations, security screening, and equipment handling, with further ramp-up planned in line with traffic growth.Established in 1957, Continental Carriers provides end-to-end logistics solutions, including air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage and warehousing, and operates a Greenfield RA3 and C-TPAT (Category A) certified Air Freight Station at Kapashera.AISATS is a 50:50 joint venture between Air India Limited and SATS Limited. Since commencing operations in 2008, it provided ground and cargo handling services at multiple airports across India and currently employs around 17,000 personnel.
