Glitches, rules scupper vegetable cargo exports at Trichy Cargo export

Export of vegetables from the Tiruchi Airport has been on the downswing over the past three weeks owing to frequent off loading of cargo by airlines citing technical reasons and load restrictions in passenger aircraft.

Perishables constitute nearly 90 per cent of the cargo exports from the airport. Vegetables, including onions, coconuts, and drumsticks are exported from Tiruchi and neighbouring districts through the airport to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Dubai, and Colombo.

On an average, 14 tonnes of perishables were exported from here a day mostly by Sri Lankan Airlines, Air Asia, and Tiger Airways. However, daily exports have come down to 10 tonnes now as cargo consignments are off loaded frequently, often at the last minute, sources in the airport said.

In the absence of exclusive freight services, exports from the airport are “controlled” depending on the availability of space in passenger aircraft. “But of late, consignments are being off loaded and airlines cite lack of space because of full passenger load or technical reasons such as fuel load and even the strong seasonal winds,” says a representative of a forwarding agency in the city.

Normally, Airbus A320 aircraft operated by most airlines here used to carry up to 2.5 tonnes of cargo a flight. But now, most of them are able to carry only about 1.50 to 2 tonnes. At times, entire cargo consignments are left behind and some flights go without carrying any of the booked cargo, sources said.

Forwarding agents say the “uncertain situation” was posing a major problem to perishables exporters as delays could cause heavy losses.

“As they are not sure of the consignment reaching (the destination) in time, some exporters are now diverting their consignments to Kochi and other airports,” said another representative of a forwarding agency.

There are allegations that some traders were carrying their products (such as textiles) as extra baggage rather than booking the consignments as cargo. While some agents plead for introduction of exclusive freighter services, airport authorities say this may not be viable as imports are poor even though export volume is good.

An official of an airline said it is the pilot’s call to decide on the quantum of cargo load to be carried in a flight. “The priority is passengers and their baggage.

Of late, most flights are running full. Some times aircrafts need to carry more fuel depending on climatic conditions and pilots have to take this into account too,” he said.

The cargo terminal at the airport handled a record 4,773 tonnes of cargo in 2013-14, registering 63 per cent growth over the previous year, to be ranked first among the non-metro airports managed by the Airports Authority of India. Twenty per cent growth in volume was expected this year, but this would depend on the uplift capacity of the airlines, sources said.

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