Pune: Around six tons of cargo which included medical and computer equipment arrived at Pune airport in the last three days. After the midnight from March 25, all civil aircrafts movement was suspended till April 14. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had given permission only for cargo operations in the country. In this, the Pune airport, based at Lohegaon, has also involved in the cargo operation.
An official at the Pune airport confirmed that around six tons of cargo movement took place at the airport for the last three days by three airlines.
“Our aviation officials and professionals are working round the clock with determination and patience. The aircraft are crisscrossing the skies to ensure that ICMR kits for testing Covid19 reach on time,” Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, tweeted.
However, the Pune Airport Director, Kuldeep Singh said, “Only cargo operations are taking place on all the airports. There are around 2.5 ton of medical equipment arrived while some soybean and computer parts delivered from the airport.”
In a statement, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said, “there are Corona warriors all over the country – be it our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, the police, volunteers – and our government is doing an excellent job. We at SpiceJet are proud and honoured to help our government and people in whatever small way we can.”
SpiceXpress, SpiceJet’s dedicated cargo arm, has been doing doorstep deliveries of essential supplies, medicines and medical equipment across the country.
The Pune Customs officials coordinated with Airport Authority if India (AAI), Air India, National Institute if Virology (NIV) and have successfully facilitated smooth transport of COVID-19 Testing kits and chemical re-agents from Pune to Raipur, Ranchi and Jamshedpur.
