Cochin International Airport will facilitate a special cargo operation on Friday with a freighter flight operated by National Airlines, Abu Dhabi, using a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft.
The aircraft is expected to arrive at the airport on Friday morning from Abu Dhabi as a ferry flight without cargo. It will depart later the same day carrying export cargo to Abu Dhabi.
The shipment, organized by Fair Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd., Angamaly, includes around 12,000 packages of fresh fruits and vegetables with a total weight of approximately 80,000 kg. The consignment is destined for Lulu Hypermarket LLC in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The operation underscores the growing importance of the Cochin International Airport as a key hub for the export of perishable cargo, enabling the movement of agricultural produce from Kerala to international markets. The flight will operate with a crew of 10 members. This special cargo operation further strengthens air cargo connectivity between Kochi and West Asia, ensuring faster transportation of perishable goods to overseas markets, said a press note.
Meanwhile, Munshid Ali, General Secretary of the Kerala Exporters Forum, said the ongoing West Asian crisis has forced feeder lines to suspend operations from Kochi Port. The last consignment left the port on March 1, and there is still uncertainty about whether it has reached its final destination.
He pointed out that the geopolitical situation has disrupted cargo movement from Kerala not only to Gulf countries but also to the US, Europe, and Canada through both sea and air routes. The cancellation of flights has placed vegetable exporters in a difficult situation, as they supply nearly 3 million Keralite households abroad.
The crisis comes at a time when demand for fruits and vegetable exports from Kerala is surging ahead of the Ramadan season. Adding to exporters’ concerns, shipping lines have imposed a war surcharge ranging from $1,500 to $2,800 per container. He urged the government to intervene for the withdrawal of these additional charges to support exporters.
e.o.m.
Published on March 5, 2026