Menzies entered a 15-year contract in India that will see the formation of a joint venture with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR), starting end-May.

The company, which will operate under Menzies Aviation (Bengaluru) Private Limited or MABPL, plans to develop a new domestic cargo facility with an initial capacity of 250,000 tonnes, with plans to scale to the 400,000-tonne mark.

As part of the agreement, MABPL will be responsible for handling international export and import cargo at an existing on-site facility that can handle 210,000 tonnes. The plan is to increase that capacity by 40,000 tonnes in phases by the end of this decade.

Menzies said this significant development of domestic cargo operations will support BIAL’s ambitions to cater for up to 1.6 million tonnes of cargo annually across its facilities. BLR Airport serves multiple airlines and plays a critical role in the development of India’s aviation sector, having received industry recognition for its highly efficient cargo operations and emerging as the preferred cargo airport in South India.

Charles Wyley, EVP – Middle East, Africa and Asia at Menzies Aviation, said: “This long-term agreement with BIAL significantly expands our cargo operations at this strategically important transport hub, which represents the gateway to South and Central India.

“This partnership comes at an exciting time for the development of the Indian aviation market and BIAL continues to invest in its state-of-the-art facilities.”

“We look forward to deploying our operational expertise and developing BLR Airport’s cargo infrastructure as we, together with BIAL, strategically enhance the airport’s position as a thriving centre of cargo excellence.”