Air cargo movements falter

International cargo handled at the various airports across the country in the April-July 2003 period dipped 0.5 per cent over the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Airports Authority of India.

In comparison, April-July 2002 witnessed a 18.7 per cent growth in cargo traffic movement.

In April-July 2003, the airports handled 2,22,120 tonnes of cargo, which was 2.5 per cent lower than the previous year.

Domestic cargo movements too did not fare well. The airports across the country handled 1,10,870 tonnes of cargo, which was a meagre 3.4 per cent rise over the same period last year.

In comparison, April-July 2002 had registered a 17.4 per cent growth in domestic cargo handled over the same period last year.

"Unlike last year, when most airlines were adding cargo capacity and there was a general upswing, we have seen slow to no growth this year. In fact, this is not specific to any product category," the cargo manager of a leading airline said.

Last year, most big airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways were planning to hike their cargo capacities, industry experts said.

In April-July 2003, the total cargo handled was 3,31,160 tonnes, compared to 3,32,990 tonnes in April-July 2002 and 2,81,500 tonnes in April-July 2001.

International cargo for April-July 2003 was 2,16,560 tonnes, compared to 2,22,120 tonnes in April-July 2002 and 1,87,150 tonnes in April-July 2001.

The airports handled 1,14,600 tonnes in the April-July 2003 period in comparison to 1,10,870 tonnes in April-July 2002 and 94,400 tonnes in April-July 2001.

The six newly-designated international airports -- Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Goa, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Guwahati -- have fared dismally in cargo performance this year.

The total cargo handled in these airports slipped 19.4 per cent in April-July 2003 over the same period last year, the AAI report said.

Last year, these airports witnessed a 35 per cent growth over April-July 2001.

The six airports handled 35.48 thousand tonnes of cargo in April-July 2003, compared to 44.01 thousand tonnes in April-July 2002.

International cargo traffic at these airports has fallen 42.6 per cent to 13.22 thousand tonnes in April-July 2003 compared to 23.050 thousand tonnes in April-July 2002.

The five international airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Thirivananathapuram have not fared too well either.

The growth in total cargo handled was 1.7 per cent in April-July 2003 compared to 15.9 per cent growth in April-July 2002. The airports handled 276.539 thousand tonnes of cargo in April-July 2003.

Individually, the airports, which witnessed a massive drop were Bangalore (25.6 per cent) and Hyderabad (10 per cent).

Bangalore handled 23.254 thousand tonnes in April-July 2003 against 31.254 thousand tonnes in the same period last year.

Hyderabad handled 6.078 thousand tonnes of cargo in April-July 2003 compared to 6.752 thousand tonnes last year.

Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram also witnessed a 3 and 3.7 per cent decline in cargo traffic, respectively.