IGI Airport handles record 100 Covid-19 relief flights in past one month

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 25

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Tuesday claimed that it has handled 100 Covid-19 relief flights in the last one month, which carried 1,750 metric tonnes (MT) of relief cargo from over 36 international destinations.

Officials in Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which runs the mega aviation facility here, said during the second wave of the pandemic, the operator ensured efficient and swift handling of medical aid, which were being received from across the world, with active support from its stakeholders.

The country’s busiest airport is the largest cargo hub of south Asia region, with two integrated cargo terminals having an annual handling capacity of 1.8 million MT, which could be scaled up to 2.3 million MT.

“With the handling of 100th relief flight on Tuesday, the airport recorded the highest movements of Covid relief aid among all domestic airports amid the pandemic,” a senior DIAL official said, adding that 100 Covid-19 relief flights operated between April 27 and May 25 with 1,750 metric tonnes of relief material from over 36 countries. The 100th flight carrying 10 metric tonnes of medical aid from Russia arrived on Tuesday, he informed.

During this period, the airport successfully handled some of the largest military and commercial aircraft, which include Antonov-124, C-130 Globemaster, C-5, C-17 and IL-76 among other freighters, the official said.

The officials said that for handling these relief flights, the airport has set up a 3,500 sq. metres dedicated interim storage and logistic facility, JEEVODAY warehouse and in terms of airside infrastructure, Delhi Airport is the first and only airport in the country to have 12 dedicated freighter parking bays.