Lack of planes even as export increases

Bajpe: The export business occurring through the cargo service at Mangaluru International Airport in increasing year to year and in this backdrop is now facing the problem of lack do planes.

Cargo service was started at the airport in 2013 and 116.62 ton of export was handled in that year. In 2018-19, it has increased to 3077.89 tonnes. The amount has increased 25 times in a mere span of 6 years. Overall, import-export increased from 132.79 ton to 3,159.08 tonnes. Even though the number of flights has reduced since last December, it has not yet had a major effect on the export business.

There are 5 flights to gulf countries from the airport on Friday, Sunday, 4 flights on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and 3 flights on Tuesday and Saturday. Of the available flights, Air India Express provides service to Dubai, Doha, Damam, Bahrain, Muscat and Abu Dhabi while Spice Jet provides service only to Dubai. Various goods are provided through these services.

If IndiGo stats service to gulf countries and if Spice Jet begins flights to other gulf countries along with Dubai, it will become a little convenient for the export business, say industry veterans.

“The local export agencies must also provide encouragement for the cultivators here to grow vegetables. There is great demand in gulf for vegetables and other produce from here. Already, airline companies like AirAsia have shown interest to start flight services to gulf countries from here. If there are more flights, there will be more export” explains K A Srinivasan, Manager, Cargo Division, Mangaluru International Airport

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