Airside

Mar 10, 2010 (LBO) - DHL Express, a global logistics company, said it has opened an 'airside gateway' facility at Sri Lanka's sole international airport north of the capital Colombo that will help speed up air cargo shipments.





Romesh David, president of JKH's transportation group, said the two companies had invested over 250 million rupees in last 15 years in improving logistics services, on technology, vehicles, and communications.

"This is another step in our effort as a nation to become a true hub in South Asia," he said.

"Whether it is a 150 million dollar investment in a transshipment port or half-a-million dollars in an airside facility, we're bringing in world class facilities."

JKH has a big stake in South Asia gateway Terminals, a private transshipment terminal in Colombo port. Malcolm Monteiro, DHL's senior vice president and area director - South Asia, said the facility at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake offers quicker turnaround time for customers and would boost trade flows.

"This airside facility - the first of its kind in Sri Lanka - augurs very well for the country's economy and facilitation of trade," he told a news conference.

The 15,000 square-foot facility by DHL, w