Air cargo movement, especially for perishable goods from Kerala, has been severely affected following the suspension of flights to Gulf countries amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
According to officials at Cochin International Airport Ltd, the daily cargo movement from Kerala’s three major airports — Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode — included around 200 tonnes of perishable and non-perishable goods, such as fruits and vegetables. The suspension of many international flights has particularly impacted shipments to GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, which are key markets for Kerala produce.
Kerala does not have dedicated cargo flights; instead, most cargo is transported in the belly of passenger aircraft. Although some countries have now reopened their airspace as the situation improves, full cargo operations have yet to resume, officials said.
Cargo Operations Almost at a Standstill
Jayaraj, Head of Air Cargo Operations at Kerala State Industrial Enterprises, stated that Thiruvananthapuram airport alone handled about 45–50 tonnes of cargo daily, mainly to GCC countries. Some perishable goods were also sent to the UK and EU markets. However, this entire operation has come to a halt due to airport closures in several Gulf countries. Some flights to Qatar and Bahrain had to return, bringing cargo back to India.
“We haven’t received any further updates from these airports regarding rescheduling of consignments. Shipping by sea is an option, but it’s not viable for perishables like fruits and vegetables,” he added. Also Read | Agri University Turns Cocoa Waste into Healthy Cookies and Drinks
TV Afsal, an exporter based in Kozhikode, said that 95% of cargo operations have stopped following instructions from clearing agencies, due to the closure of key Gulf airports. While a small portion of goods was sent on two available flights, cargo movement was largely disrupted from Monday night as exporters feared potential losses.
Rising Concerns Over the Crisis
Munshid Ali, Secretary of the Kerala Exporters Forum, expressed serious concerns over the growing West Asia conflict. He noted that the situation poses a significant threat to Kerala, which has a large expatriate population. The State is highly exposed to disruptions in air cargo movement, fluctuations in global oil prices, and overall instability, which could adversely affect local trade, industry, and the broader economy.
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