Date:27/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/27/stories/2006032711060100.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Leading firms bid for cargo terminal, ground-handling contracts at airport

P. Manoj

Six consortia have submitted bids for cargo operations

Nine players competing for ground-handling facilities contract

BANGALORE: Leading players in the aviation business are in the fray to bag the cargo terminal and ground-handling contracts at the Bangalore International Airport. Six consortia have submitted their technical and financial proposals for the cargo operations at the airport.

They include Air India-Singapore Airport Terminal Services, Airports Authority of India-Mysore Sales International Limited, Cargo Service Centre-Swissport International, Jet Air-Dnata, Menzies Aviation-Bobba Group and Reliance Energy-Worldwide Flight Service.

In the case of ground-handling facilities, nine companies/consortia have submitted their technical and financial proposals.

They include Air India-Singapore Airport Terminal Services, Cambata Aviation, Globe Ground India, Indian (formerly Indian Airlines), Jet Aviation-KC&IC, Jet Air-Dnata, Menzies Aviation-Bobba Group, Reliance Energy-Worldwide Flight Service and Swissport International.

BIAL sources said successful bidders will be announced in a month.

BIAL proposes to award two cargo facility concessions to two independent operators, who will design, build, finance, operate and maintain all facilities and expand them gradually based on the growth in cargo volumes to develop the airport into a regional cargo hub.

The cargo and ground-handling facilities will provide services to passengers, airlines and shippers on international standards and at competitive prices.