Air India's plan to change aircraft criticised

The country is likely to lose foreign exchange estimated at Rs.250 crores from exports of fresh vegetables, fruits and other perishables to Dubai if Air India goes ahead with the decision to replace A-310 aircraft with B-737 in the Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector with effect from January 11. The A-310 used by national carrier for its five weekly services in Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector can carry 215 passengers and uplift 10-15 tonnes of cargo. The B-737 does not have the facility to lift export cargo, airline sources said. Air India Express, the no-frills airline of AI, which operates two weekly direct flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, also does not provide cargo facility as it uses narrow-bodied aircraft B 737-800. According to the exporters, they will have to depend on the Dubai-based foreign airline that has daily direct flights from the capital and uses wide-bodied B-767 for flight operations.

Compared to the Rs.28.50 freight charges levied by AI to move one kg vegetable to Dubai from Thiruvananthapuram, the foreign airline is demanding Rs.33 in the sector. Exporters say they cannot pay higher freight charges as the consignment itself is worth Rs.15 a kg only. The overseas buyers are not willing to purchase by paying a higher amount as the export is on a long contract basis, they say. The stiff competition from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh and the low freight rates charged by the airline from these countries is also causing concern to the 40-odd exporters. According to exporters, the daily uplift of 50 tonnes of fresh vegetables and fruits from Thiruvananthapuram to the United Arab Emirates, Europe and Canada is likely to come down with AI's decision. AI got Rs.98.56 crores in Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector as revenue last financial year. Of the 50 tonnes of vegetables and other perishables exported daily, 50 per cent is banana and plantain varieties.

Exporters say they depend on Non-Resident Keralites to sell vegetables and fruits exported from Thiruvananthapuram, as they do not enjoy any monopoly in overseas market. More than 3,500 farmers and suppliers in the State and adjoining Tamil Nadu earn their livelihood from these shipments, which provide direct and indirect employment to about 2,000 persons. Dil Koshy, secretary of the Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association (APPEXA), said that AI's decision would result in loss of valuable foreign exchange to the country and surrendering the market established over the last 25 years. APPEXA had taken up the matter with the AI authorities. "The quantity of cargo lifted has gone up from 250 kg daily in the 1970s to 50 tonnes as of today. We would be taking up the issue with the Chief Minister and the MPs as the decision is aimed at helping foreign airline," he added. When contacted, an official of AI said: "No final decision had been taken to replace all the A-310 aircraft in the Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector".

visit us @ http://www.silkrouteholidays.com