Monthly 140 tonnes export cargo from Coimbatore is sent through Trichy airport: Exporters stress 'Air India Express' to start services at Coimbatore

Coimbatore: In spite of the 'Covid-19' pandemic outbreak, Trichy International Airport is witnessing minimum three international flights daily. This has made few exporters from Coimbatore to use Trichy for sending their cargos.

Post pandemic outbreak, the flight operations both in the International Sector and the domestic sector has been badly affected at the Coimbatore International Airport. At present, each day only 4 or 5 flights are operated in the domestic sector. 'Air Arabia' is the only Airlines in the International Sector at present providing a service between Coimbatore and Sharjah. That too, this flight service previously which was operated three times in a week has been reduced to one flight per week.

From July onwards it was said that weekly two place would be operated but more uncertainty is witnessed. Due to this issue, the exporters from Coimbatore have started sending their export cargo through Trichy International Airport.

Aviation sources said, "Despite the pandemic outbreak, Trichy International Airport is witnessing minimum of three international flights daily between Trichy - Singapore, Trichy- Kuala Lumpur, Trichy - Dubai and other international destinations. Whereas in Coimbatore International Airport there is uncertainty witnessed in the service provided by 'Air Arabia'to Sharjah. The services getting cancelled suddenly and due to this few exporters have started using Trichy International Airport.

At present only the passengers who are coming from foreign countries are allowed to travel, in return only cargo is allowed to send. Usually in a passenger flight on an average 2.5 to 3 tonnes of cargo can be loaded. Since at present the flights are returning back without passengers, more cargos that is upto six tonnes of cargo can be loaded.

The uncertainty witnessed in the service provided by 'Air Arabia flight' has made more than 140 tonnes of export cargo per month from Coimbatore to be sent via Trichy International Airport. Air India Express can start few services at Coimbatore International Airport which would help the exporters in a big way." Aviation sources said.

Kongu Global Forum (KGF) Director, D. Nandakumar said, "We are shocked to hear this issue. Our forum is continuously taking various steps to ensure more flight services are started both in domestic and International Sector at Coimbatore International Airport. We would very soon take this issue to Central Civil Aviation ministers knowledge and also request Air India Express to consider Coimbatore international airport for starting new services in the International Sector."