Cooperation Minister Dr Jaiprakash Mundada said the first cargo plane will take off from Pune airport on February 7, 1999. The air cargo project is being implemented as a joint venture of Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Corporation, Pune and Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Pune, Mundada added.

Special facilities like a modern cargo handling centre, loading and unloading of cargo, a special customs counter etc. will be set up at a cost of Rs two crore, the minister said and added that the customs department has given permission for export of fruits, flowers and vegetables, among other products. The contract of air cargo trafficking has been awarded to Sky Cab Company, Sri Lanka.

Mundada further said the main functional route of the air cargo service will be from Pune to Sharjah. This would help supply the products toEuropean countries with an understanding with international airlines, the minister said and added adequate arrangements of cold storages, godowns and cargo handling have been made at Sharjah.

The flight will operate thrice a week initially, five times a week in the second stage of the project and seven times a week later, it was informed. Mundada said different farmers' cooperative societies can take advantage of group export facility and use the air cargo service.