Export Import Federation Trichy (EIFT) jointly with Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a stakeholders meeting at Trichy international airport for the first time to improve the volume of exports, mostly agriculture products, and make export operations hassle-free. Exporters said they will study major airports in south India to increase the volume of exports through Trichy from 20 tonne to 35 tonne a day and demand dedicated cargo flights.
Presently, vegetables, fruits and flowers are exported from Trichy to Gulf and southeast Asian countries using the leftover space in passenger aircraft. Operators prioritise international passengers and their luggage. Based on the occupancy rate of international flights, a limited quantity of exports is allowed. Hence, exporters are forced to use Chennai and Kochi airports to send their consignments. “International air connectivity is improving in Trichy airport, but we need a dedicated cargo flight, even a narrow-body aircraft is adequate. Our study finds that around 35 tonne of products can be exported from Trichy, but we are exporting only 50-60% of our potential,” N Kanagasabapathy, coordinator, EIFT, said. Customs and Plant quarantine department officials who attended the meeting have assured support to the exporters’ plans to increase export volume via Trichy airport.
At the meeting, exporters also raised a demand to reduce export charges collected at the airport. They claimed that around Rs70-90 per kg is collected in Trichy whereas in Kochi, it was around Rs 55 to Rs80 per kg.
“We will visit and explore the best practices followed in Hyderabad and Kochi airports to improve exports of agricultural products from Trichy airport. Need for cold storage facilities will be assessed too,” G Sathish Kumar, secretary, EIFT said.
Presently, around 270 active exporters with EIFT are exporting products from Trichy airport to Malaysia, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). “We will provide required support for exporters to use the airport’s infrastructure to scale up their volume. As far as operating dedicated cargo flights from Trichy are concerned, the decision rests with airline operators,” S Gnaneswara Rao, director of Trichy airport, said.
