Pune Exporters Grapple with Major Losses as West Asia Conflict Disrupts UAE Cargo Flights
Ongoing and escalating tensions in the West Asian region have triggered severe concerns for exporters and traders based in Pune. The sending of cargo to key destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi has been completely halted for the last three to four days, creating a significant crisis for the local trade community.
Flight Cancellations and Immediate Impact
As of Tuesday, the situation remains highly volatile, with direct and regular flights from Pune to the United Arab Emirates yet to resume operations. This suspension has forced a complete stoppage of exports, particularly affecting perishable goods such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and mutton that are regularly shipped from the city.
Tushar Sutar, joint secretary of the Exim Integrated Club, which operates in the logistics sector, explained the dire circumstances. "Exports have ground to a halt ever since the conflict suddenly erupted. With flights not operating, the cargo is being diverted to domestic channels. However, the long-term effects of this crisis are already palpable and have started to worry everyone involved in the business," he stated.
Quantifying the Financial Losses
The financial toll is becoming increasingly evident. Pradeep Kumar, joint general manager for cargo at Pune airport, confirmed that losses have started to materialize. "On Saturday, approximately 3 metric tonnes of international cargo was returned from the terminal. As of Tuesday, we have incurred a total loss of around 5 to 6 metric tonnes of international cargo," he reported.
Another official at the city airport highlighted the potential for further damage. "Obviously, more losses can be incurred if things remain the same. We have informed logistics companies and traders of the ground situation. At present, there is no clarity about when flights will start again," the official noted.
Specific Flight Disruptions and Export Volumes
Santosh Dhoke, Pune airport director, confirmed that on March 4, three flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, operated by IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express, were cancelled. This disruption has severely impacted the weekly export volumes.
Approximately 6 metric tonnes of fresh vegetables and meat is exported to Abu Dhabi from Pune each week on flights that operate three days a week. For Dubai, around 1 metric tonne of cargo is typically exported, with IndiGo and SpiceJet flights frequently carrying the load.
Sutar elaborated on the financial implications. "On every consignment, a trader earns approximately USD 100 for every 10kg. So, the ongoing situation represents a major loss of opportunities. The worrying factor is that things remain uncertain as the conflict is far from over," he added.
Broader Business and Relationship Concerns
The crisis extends beyond immediate financial losses to threaten long-standing business relationships. A trader-cum-exporter, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed deep concerns about the future. "Money earned from international cargo is significantly more than from domestic shipments. Even if airports and airspaces reopen, it will take a long time before things return to normal. We are losing out on business that is built over contacts and relationships. The uncertainty and violence will put a dent in these connections," the trader explained.
The exporter further warned, "Our partners in the UAE could potentially wait for a long time before engaging with us again, forcing us to look for other partners in the meantime. If there had been an announcement about a certain date for resumption of regular flight movements, we would have been at ease. However, this is not the case, leaving us in a state of limbo."
The persistent conflict in West Asia continues to cast a shadow over Pune's export sector, with traders and officials anxiously awaiting a resolution to resume normal operations and mitigate further economic damage.
