Emirates new service to Cochin in the state of Kerala, which starts today (Monday December 2) adds more than an extra point to the airline`s network. It also enhances the already comprehensive chain of online and offline destinations across South India, linked by road feeder services.

The flights provide Keralites living and working in the Middle East with the advantage of being able to send goods directly to their home state. Cargo customers in India benefit from fast and easy access via Dubai to international markets.

Cochin exports mainly handicrafts, spices, fish and perishables while personal effects will form the bulk of imports. Emirates is operating an Airbus A330 on the sector which offers cargo capacity for 15 to 17 tonnes with a full passenger load.

Peter Sedgley, General Manager Cargo Commercial Operations, said: “There is a huge Keralite population throughout the Middle East. Previously they had to send their personal effects via Mumbai, Chennai or Hyderabad. Now they can ship direct to Cochin.”

Emirates now operates direct services to Hyderabad, Chennai and Cochin in South India with a total of 15 non-stop flights weekly. In addition, Emirates SkyCargo operates a well-established bonded trucking system for export cargo linking Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore (the last being an offline destination).

Plans are in hand to include Cochin on the trucking network. Initially, the trucking system will run to Calicut and Trivandrum but will gradually be extended.

Emirates SkyCargo also has GSA representation in Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Calcutta and Ahmedabad.

Mr Sedgley commented: “Our trucking system and door-to-door delivery services can now be extended to feed out of Cochin to our other South India destinations. We can interchange and so offer a consistent comprehensive cargo service for the whole of South India using various gateways.”

Trucked shipments for export are Customs-cleared at the point of acceptance and transported in Customs-sealed, 20-foot containers. They are then flown to Dubai, Emirates home base, with fast, onward connections to other parts of the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the USA, thus providing cargo customers in South India with fast and efficient access to international markets.

Mr Sedgley added: “The new service to Cochin is another step in our commitment to better trade interactions between Dubai and South India. I am confident that, through this new service, Cochin will have access to international markets, using Emirates` state of the art equipment.”

In addition to Cochin, Hyderabad and Chennai in South India, Emirates operates services to Mumbai and Delhi in the north, a total of 41 scheduled flights weekly between Dubai and India with an overall cargo capacity in excess of 600 tonnes in each direction. In addition, Emirates SkyCargo can accommodate ad-hoc cargo requirements with specialist freighter capacity as and when required

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