Cochin International Airport Limited reported a 10 per cent rise in air cargo volumes as supply chain disruptions and airspace constraints across West Asia prompted exporters and logistics companies to reroute shipments through southern Indian gateways.
The airport operator said cargo throughput increased significantly during the recent quarter, supported by higher movement of perishables, electronics, pharmaceuticals, seafood, and e-commerce shipments. Exporters increasingly shifted cargo through Kochi as instability and operational disruptions in parts of the Gulf affected regional logistics networks and transit schedules.
Industry sources said the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia led to periodic flight diversions, capacity shortages, and higher freight rates across major Gulf hubs, encouraging freight forwarders to explore alternate routing options through Indian airports with strong international connectivity.
CIAL’s cargo growth was also supported by rising demand for direct international services and improved handling infrastructure at the airport’s cargo terminal. The airport has been expanding cold-chain capabilities and digital cargo processing systems to handle growing export volumes from Kerala and neighbouring states.
Seafood exporters and perishable cargo operators noted that Kochi’s strategic location and connectivity to Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East helped maintain shipment flows despite disruptions in traditional transshipment and air cargo routes.
Airport officials said the strong cargo performance reflects the increasing role of regional Indian airports in supporting global supply chains during periods of geopolitical uncertainty. CIAL is expected to continue strengthening cargo infrastructure and airline partnerships to capture rising demand from exporters seeking reliable alternate gateways.