Team Goemkarponn
MOPA: In a significant milestone, GMR Goa Air Cargo Logistics (GGACL) at Manohar International Airport (MIA) successfully handled its first expedition non-scheduled cargo charter movement for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Vasco.
The special charter, an IL-76 aircraft nicknamed “Gajraj,” carried essential expedition supplies including medicines, food, and other commodities required for India’s ongoing research programme in Antarctica.
The flight is routed via Cape Town, South Africa, before reaching its final destination in Antarctica.
This marks the first time an IL-76 — a Soviet-designed heavy-lift, four-engine turbofan airlifter — has taken off from Manohar International Airport.
Known for its ability to operate in remote and challenging locations, the IL-76 is a primary workhorse for transporting heavy cargo and personnel.
According to GMR, this operation is the third specialized cargo charter handled at MIA in the last two years.
GGACL has positioned itself as a preferred hub for critical freighters and non-scheduled cargo charter movements, backed by world-class infrastructure and specialized cargo handling capabilities.
