Air cargo exports through three of Kerala’s four international airports declined significantly during July–September 2026, while Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) recorded a robust 21% growth, emerging as the key driver of the state’s overall export performance.
According to a study conducted by a team led by M S Raunaq of the Department of Economics, John Mathai Centre, University of Calicut, exports through Thiruvananthapuram airport fell 15% year-on-year to 4,412 tonnes, while Calicut declined 18% to 3,990 tonnes. Kannur recorded the steepest fall of 44%, with volumes dropping to 646 tonnes.
In contrast, Kochi’s air cargo exports surged from 15,200 tonnes to 18,376 tonnes, an increase of 3,176 tonnes. Consequently, its share of the combined cargo handled by Kerala’s four international airports rose from 57.5% to 67%.
Despite the declines at the other airports, Kerala’s total air cargo exports increased 3.8% to 27,425 tonnes during the quarter, compared with 26,416.7 tonnes a year earlier. The growth was entirely driven by Kochi, as the other three airports together registered a 19.3% decline.
The Kerala Exporters Forum has attributed the declining performance to high air freight and terminal handling charges, limited cargo capacity, the absence of wide-bodied aircraft, inadequate cold storage facilities and the lack of nearby NABL-accredited laboratories.
According to forum secretary Munshid Ali, exporters are increasingly shifting cargo from Calicut to Kochi due to lower freight rates and better infrastructure. He cited a rate of ₹220 per kg at Calicut against ₹160 per kg at Kochi, adding that the latter also offers wide-bodied aircraft and chartered flight facilities.
The shift poses additional challenges for exporters of perishable commodities, as transporting vegetables from Kozhikode to Kochi takes six to eight hours, potentially affecting freshness and product quality.
The study also highlights wider international trade pressures, including rising freight costs linked to the Middle East conflict and growing competition from Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia in Middle Eastern markets. Kerala’s exports of spices, coir, perishables, vegetables, rubber and rubber products are among the sectors facing mounting challenges.
The research was conducted for the Kerala Exporters Forum, with Nandini Prasad, Sanu Suresh, Aruna Deepak and Anagha as other members of the research team.