Sri Lankan Airlines to introduce cargo freight service from Trichy soon

 As Trichy International Airport is witnessing a rise in cargo shipments, international freight carriers have decided to start their operations from the city. Sri Lankan Airlines will be the first to introduce a cargo flight from here in the next two months.

The airlines is planning to introduce McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (twin-jet) (MD82) Aircraft for the cargo services. The carrier, which has a capacity of 19 tonnes, will be operated for twice a week, and the airline is currently working on processes involved in ground handling operations. The old terminals of the airport have been modified to cargo terminals. The terminals spans to 4,000 square feet and has ability to handle at least 250 tonnes of goods in a single time.

The Trichy International Airport established four years ago has been witnessing a tremendous rise in cargo shipments, and it is expected that over 6,500 tonnes of goods was transported this year. In July alone, more than 600 tonnes of goods was exported.

As a large number of people in the southern districts are involved in farming, goods like farm products and vegetables are mainly exported from the area. A senior official said, "Earlier, only perishable goods like vegetables were exported, but dealers have started focusing on other products too."

Exporters are flourishing due to high demand of goods in Middle East countries. The airport doesn't have a dedicated cargo carrier and exporters were making the best use of few international flights available at the airport.

The Sri Lankan Airline authorities recently convened a meeting with cargo officials and investigated facility at the cargo complex. H Nazir Ahmed, cargo manager of the India operation, Sri Lankan Airlines, in Chennai, said demand for goods from Middle East countries have increased, and only two flights are being currently operated from Trichy airport. More services can be introduced based on the ground handling operations.