Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Onam Demand Drives Cargo Surge at Cochin International Airport
Onam is a festival when people buy more food and other goods.
Because of this, more cargo is being sent through Cochin International Airport.
The airport expects to handle about 1,678 metric tonnes of cargo between August 17 and 23.
Most of it will be fresh food that can spoil quickly.
The shipments include bananas, vegetables, fruits, and banana leaves.
Cargo volumes are expected to be highest on August 21 and 22.
Passenger planes will carry some of the goods.
Special cargo planes operated by national airlines and IndiGo will carry more goods to Middle Eastern destinations.
Cochin International Airport expects to handle about 1,678 metric tonnes of cargo from August 17 to 23.
Perishables are projected to account for 1,173 metric tonnes of the total cargo.
Shipments include bananas, onions, vegetables, fruits, and banana leaves for the Onam market.
Daily cargo volumes are expected to peak at 300 metric tonnes on August 21 and 22.
Scheduled passenger flights and dedicated freighters operated by national airlines and IndiGo are adding capacity to Middle East routes.
- Who
- Cochin International Airport (CIAL), along with airlines operating scheduled and freighter services.
- What
- The airport is experiencing and anticipating a surge in cargo movement, especially perishable goods.
- When
- Cargo is expected to be handled from August 17 to 23, with the report dated August 19.
- Where
- Through Cochin International Airport in Kochi, including routes to Middle Eastern sectors.
- Why
- Seasonal demand for fresh produce and other commodities linked to the Onam market is driving the increase.
- Expected total cargo
- About 1,678 metric tonnes between August 17 and 23
- Expected perishable cargo
- About 1,173 metric tonnes
- Peak daily volume
- 300 metric tonnes expected on August 21 and 22
- Main commodities
- Bananas, small onions, beans, drumsticks, tindly, fruits, papaya, snake gourd, green mango, and banana leaves
- Transport services
- Scheduled passenger flights and non-scheduled freighter services
- Freighter operators
- National airlines and IndiGo
- Freighter sectors
- Kochi to Middle East sectors