Amritsar airport sees 109% hike in cargo traffic

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 31

At a time when major airports in the country are witnessing a decline in international cargo traffic due to slowdown, Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, has witnessed 109% growth during April-September this year as compared to the same period previous year. Nationally, international cargo witnessed a negative growth of 7.6% during the period.

During April-September 2019, the Amritsar airport handled 676 metric tonnes of international cargo meant for different countries as compared to 324 metric tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. There were only two airports in the country which handled higher international cargo than Amritsar, namely Pune (461.5 %) and Calicut (118%).

According to officials, the growth in cargo was propelled by increase in exports of readymade garments to Dubai and Doha which contributed 40% to the total exports. However, it is difficult to ascertain whether the growth in cargo was because of increase in demand from foreign countries or exporters preferred Amritsar over Delhi airport.

“During the period under review, the traders exported readymade garments, baby corn, green chillies and fasteners, especially nuts and bolts. The increase in exports is evident from growth in cargo,” said a senior executive working at Amritsar airport.

According to officials, most of the cargo originated from Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and nearby areas. Customs clearing agents said the time taken in handling the cargo is much faster in Amritsar as compared to Delhi.

“In case of readymade garments, most of the exporters preferred Amritsar as importers are based at Dubai and Doha and the airport offers direct flight to these countries. This not only saves time but also freight cost,” said Raman Sharma, customs clearing agent at Amritsar.

The agents said a majority of the exporters are MSMEs and the quantum of exports is low. So it makes sense to export from Amritsar as overall volume is low as compared to Delhi airport.

Airport officials said with Air India linking Amritsar with London (Stansted) thrice-a-week from today will further boost the exports of perishable items from the region to the UK. It will be the first-ever scheduled flight to India from London Stansted Airport and the only direct link between London and Amritsar, the airline said.

Major airports in the country have witnessed a decline in international cargo during the period, mainly due to slowdown. 

The statistics of Airports Authority of India show that international freight movement in Chennai declined by 13.8%, Delhi (7.1%), Mumbai (14.6%), Bengaluru (9.6%) and Kolkata recorded a decline of 0.7% in the period under review.