With air cargo exports from the Tiruchi International Airport on the upswing, operation of dedicated cargo flights or introduction of new overseas flights would further propel this trend, feel those in the export business.
Although the potential to export more cargo from Tiruchi was immense, space in existing overseas passenger flights poses a major constraint for the exporters.
Exporters are utilising the available space in international passenger aircraft to export their cargo to different overseas destinations ever since the air cargo terminal was commissioned in 2011.
The uplift capacity increased recently after the Malaysia-based hybrid airline Malindo Air joined the other international airlines in lifting cargo from here.
On an average, about 13 tonnes of cargo was being exported every day to different overseas countries through Sri Lankan Airlines, Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Air India, and Malindo Air. Perishable commodities such as vegetables, flowers, and fruits account for 90 per cent of the export cargo with the remaining 10 per cent being other goods including leather goods, textiles, fabrics, food stuff, and garments. The quantum of export cargo soared from 2,891 tonnes in 2012-13 fiscal to 4,773 tonnes in 2013-14 financial year registering a 63 per cent growth, say airport sources. Despite this upward trend, the airport is unable to take in more cargo because of space constraints. Exporters from neighbouring Madurai, Dindigul and Karur districts despatch their goods through Chennai, Bangalore, and Kochi airports from where wide-bodied passenger aircraft were being operated.
This is primarily because of space constraints in existing passenger flights operating from Tiruchi, says A.Moorthy, a Tiruchi-based IATA agent engaged in logistics industry. At present, exporters get space that is left after the baggage of the passengers are loaded. Approximately 2 or 3 tonnes of cargo was being accommodated in every flight. This would come down if more passengers were to board.
Many a time, the cargo was offloaded because of increased passenger load and sudden change of aircraft. The trade and industry strongly feel the need for operation of dedicated cargo flights as this would substantially boost the uplift capacity and economic development of the region in the long run.
Cargo freighters best suited for the existing runway length at the airport could be operated. If not daily, cargo freighters could be operated at least thrice a week, says Mr.Moorthy. Operators of cargo flights could explore the possibility of connecting three ports of call to make business viable for them as well, he adds. Exporters say they were getting enquiries from European markets. However, for want of space they were unable to address them. Since a substantial number of migrant workers from the central and southern regions were employed in different countries in West Asia, new flights to Gulf nations would benefit travellers besides boosting the uplift capacity, Mr.Moorthy said.
