Trade and industry representatives, freight forwarders and shipping agents in Coimbatore have called for measures to strengthen air cargo movement through Coimbatore International Airport, highlighting the region’s significant export potential.
The stakeholders met the Director of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in Coimbatore on Tuesday to discuss ways to improve cargo facilitation and enhance the airport’s role in handling the region’s growing export and import trade.
R. Rajeshkumar, President of the Custom Broker & Shipping Agents’ Association, said the Cargo Facilitation Committee meeting was held after a gap of six years. He noted that air cargo movement from Coimbatore has considerable potential for growth.
He also revealed that FlyDubai is ready to operate two to three chartered flights a week from Coimbatore and has reportedly sought details of the region’s export-import trade volumes and cargo potential.
“Exports by air have huge potential and the data is available. Most of the cargo currently moves through Kochi, Chennai or Bengaluru. Similarly, imports are routed through other gateways. We are trying to collect these details,” he said.
With substantial export cargo generated from Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Erode and the Nilgiris districts, stakeholders believe Coimbatore International Airport can emerge as a more significant air cargo gateway for the region.
The committee will hold its next meeting in February to review the progress made and take forward initiatives aimed at improving air cargo connectivity and movement through the airport, Rajeshkumar added.