Cargo services at Amritsar airport hit due to snag in X-ray machine
Though the cargo service for European countries has been suspended at Shri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport as the x-ray machine there is non-functional, local activists have demanded that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India (AAI) intervene in the matter and ensure that the service is resumed. The office-bearers of global advocacy campaign Fly Amritsar Initiative (FAI) and the NGO Amritsar Vikas Manch have formally requested for the urgent intervention of the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and the AAI Chairman M Suresh for the immediate replacement of the non-functional x-ray machine that is essential for the resumption of cargo services to the UK and European Union (EU) from Amritsar airport.
Earlier this year, Amritsar airport was granted the RA3 (regulated agent) licence to export cargo to the UK and EU, which significantly boosted the airport’s cargo volume to 380 tonnes per month. This growth facilitated the establishment of international customs clearance companies and expanded cargo services to regions such as Ludhiana, Haryana and Chandigarh. However, a recent inspection by a UK team identified a malfunctioning X-ray machine and insufficient staffing, leading to the suspension of the RA3 licence and a subsequent sharp decline in cargo volume to just a quarter of its previous levels.
“Despite assurances from airport authorities that a replacement x-ray machine has been ordered from Aurangabad airport and that the tender process is underway, there has been no concrete action in over two months to resolve the issue. This prolonged delay is severely affecting local business and the airport’s operations, which are heavily reliant on robust export capabilities. The delay in addressing the x-ray machine issue reflects a lack of urgency on the part of authorities concerned, stated Sameep Singh Gumtala, FAI convener.
“This not only hampers the growth of Amritsar airport but also impacts the airlines that rely on increased cargo volumes to offset operational losses. We urge the authorities to expedite the replacement process to restore the RA3 licence and resume full cargo operations,” said Yogesh Kamra.
“We have appealed to the Government of India, emphasising upon the critical need to upgrade airport infrastructure to support economic growth. We request the immediate replacement of the non-functional x-ray machine at Amritsar airport,” added Manmohan Singh Brar, patron of AVM.
