Parliament Question: International connectivity and cargo potential of airports in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO : 962 th (TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 February 2026) INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND CARGO POTENTIAL OF AIRPORTS IN PUNJAB 962. DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that there is a sustained growth in international passenger traffic from Amritsar airport, particularly to Europe, UK and Gulf sectors; (b) details of the current cargo handling capacity and actual cargo throughput at Amritsar and Chandigarh airports; (c) whether export potential of Punjab's agriculture and MSME sectors has been assessed for air-cargo expansion; (d) steps taken to strengthen cargo especially perishable handling infrastructure in Punjab; (e) whether Government is planning to give point of call to foreign airlines under Bilateral Air Service Agreement for Chandigarh and Amritsar airport; and (f) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) The international passenger traffic in India including at Amritsar airport has been growing steadily. (b) to (d) Amritsar Airport has both Domestic and International Air Cargo facilities. The International Air Cargo Facility at Amritsar Airport has an annual handling capacity of more than 32,000 MT and is equipped with requisite cold storage facilities. At present, domestic air cargo operations are being carried out through an interim facility with an annual handling capacity of 1,100 MT. A newdedicated Domestic Air Cargo Facility has been constructed with annual handling capacity of 40,000 MT. While for Chandigarh Airport, the total annual cargo handling capacity is approximately 43800 MT. The actual domestic cargo throughput at the airport for the FY 2024-25 was 14,138 MT. The existing air cargo handling capacity at Amritsar Airport is adequate to accommodate the expected increase in air cargo traffic in the coming years. AAICLAS has established a cold storage facility in an area of more than 430 sqm with an annual handling capacity of 7,800 MT at Amritsar airport. (e) & (f) Presently, the Government of India promotes more international operations by Indian carriers from non-metro points, including Chandigarh and Amritsar, either directly or through their own domestic operations. Accordingly, non- metro points are not being granted as new points of call in the Air Services Agreements to any foreign country. *****