UNPRECEDENTED RISE IN IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

By Arjun Raghunath

T’Puram, June 21

With the introduction of a couple of freighter aircraft from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the State capital is witnessing an unprecedented rise in imports and exports over the last couple of months. The situation is likely to get further impetus with one more airline commencing freighter service from Thiruvananthapuram this month.

Sources at the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) which runs the cargo complex at the Thiruvananthapuram airport said that there was about 25 percent increase in both imports and exports during the last couple of months.

Routing of more marine exports from Tuticorin and other near by places though the Thiruvananthapuram airport is a major reason for the sudden increase in the exports. It is likely to increase in the coming months as there is a global slump of marine products in the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, sources at the Marine Products Exports Development Authority.

Statistics available with Express shows that till six months back the average monthly exports through Thiruvananthapuram airport was around 2000 tons. However, in the last couple of months it has gone up to 2600 tons per month. Similarly, in the case of imports, the monthly average till a few months back was around 1200 tons where as it was 1650 tons during the last month.

``About 98 percent of the export commodities are perishable goods especially fresh fish. With regard to imports, unaccompanied baggage constitutes more than 90 percent of the commodities, ‘’ KSIE sources told Express.

The Dubai-based Emirates Skycargo had introduced weekly cargo services in the Dubai - Thiruvananthapuram - Hong Kong sector from April 27 and Saudi Airlines had commence freighter service in the Dammam - Thiruvananthapuram - Hong Kong sector from May 20.

Qatar Airways is scheduled to commence freighter service in the Doha – Thiruvananthapuram – Colombo – Doha sector on every Fridays from June 25.

While Emirates and Saudi Arabian airlines are operating wide-bodied aircraft that could carry more than 100 tons of cargo, Qatar is planning to operate a freighter aircraft that could accommodate up to 45 tons of cargo. Moreover, Qatar Airways has recently introduced two wide bodied aircraft for its scheduled passenger services, so as to accommodate more cargo.

``The introduction of the freighter aircraft provide better convenience to exports. In scheduled passenger aircraft, exports only get a second preference to passengers, whereas in freighter aircraft, the commodities get a better space. Hence the introduction of freighter aircraft is a boon to the exporters, ‘’ says Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association secretary Dil Koshy.


EMBARGO

In view of an immediate surge in the imports and exports, the KSIE was even forced to impose an embargo at the Thiruvananthapuram cargo complex, both for scheduled passenger flights as well as freighter aircraft, for a few days.

``Owing to the space constraints, we would be forced to impose embargo on freighter aircraft in the coming months also. However, there would not be embargo on cargo from scheduled passenger aircraft as it would lead to widespread criticism, ‘’ said KSIE sources.

A demand for more space for the cargo complex in remaining on papers for the last several years.

ends.