Escalation of tension in West Asia hits export of perishable cargo from Tiruchi airport

Tensions in West Asia disrupt perishable cargo exports from Tiruchi airport, with flights to Dubai and Sharjah suspended since February 28.

Export of perishable cargo from the Tiruchi international airport to West Asian destinations has been hit ever since overseas flights to that region were cancelled following escalation of tensions consequent to multiple strikes by United States of America and Israel on Iran. 

International flight services to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have been suspended by Air India Express since February 28 (Saturday ) due to heightened tensions leading to airspace closure. Consequently, export of international cargo, especially perishables, to West Asia has been severely hit, leading to sharp decline in overall loading from the non-metro Tiruchi international airport.

Air India Express is the lone international carrier operating flights to different destinations in West Asia from Tiruchi. Daily flights were being operated to Dubai and Sharjah until the tension erupted in that region. The services to Abu Dhabi are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and to Muscat on Tuesday and Thursday.

Tiruchi Airport Director S.S. Raju said export of perishable cargo, including vegetables, had come down in view of the suspension of flight services to West Asian destinations since Saturday.  About 20 tonnes of overseas cargo, mainly perishables, used to be exported from the Tiruchi cargo complex at the airport every day. But, it had come down by about 10 tonnes daily over the past three days, he said, adding that exports to select South East Asian destinations such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur continued as usual.

Perishables such as assorted vegetables, fruits and seafood account for majority in respect of international cargo exported from the Tiruchi airport which is surrounded by agrarian districts. The sudden suspension of daily services to Dubai and Sharjah besides to Abu Dhabi has affected revenue, said an exporter in Tiruchi. 

Mr. Raju said about 590 tonnes of cargo was being exported from Tiruchi on an average every month. The airport authorities hope that exports to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi would resume once the services are resumed.