Delhi airport gears up for F1’s logistical challenge

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has made elaborate arrangements to welcome the first freighter aircraft carrying specially designed cargo crates, which will land in Delhi on Tuesday.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has made elaborate arrangements to welcome the first freighter aircraft carrying specially designed cargo crates, which will land in Delhi on Tuesday. For smooth transportation of the cargo, the airport authorities have procured special equipment.

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"We see Formrula One as a moment of immense pride, and we wan't to play a lead role in providing logistical support for such a renowned event. The preparation for this started in December last year. We are expecting around seven freighters with 40 pallets in each aircraft," DIAL CEO I Prabhakara Rao said.

Some cargo is also being transported on commercial airliners. "We are expecting around 600 tonnes of cargo and a special pallet will be on board," a DIAL spokesperson said.

There are expected to be 40 pallets per aircraft. "We have created special parking bays for trucks and aircraft," he added. The arrival of F1 cars and related equipment would take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Apart from DIAL, ground handling agencies will be handling the cargo.

The airport authorities have been in constant touch with the F1 organisers since December last year. The F1 logistics team that internationally reviews all logistics arrangements at various host countries had visited the airport earlier. “We have also installed new Electronic Transfer Vehicle (ETV) for stacking and handling of the pallets.

"Apart from the car chassis, we have the safety car, medical cars, and other equipment like engines, tools, electronic equipment and communication devices," the spokesperson added.

According to DIAL, the exercise for Formula1 is race critical and high-value transition. "More than the volume, it is the time factor that is key in making the logistics support successful as post this race the entire event shifts to the next venue and hence it is extremely time critical," he said.