Movement of goods has also been badly hit due to closure of the European airspace. Around 30-40 tonne vegetables and fruits being sent to Toronto from Mumbai,have been stuck at Londons Heathrow. We are advising customers to authorise the airline to sell these perishable goods at the market in London so they get some returns. At this time,airlines may also not pay damages for non-delivery, said Mahesh Thakkar of Hermes Travel and Cargo Pvt Ltd. From Mumbai alone,at least 40 tonnes go to London; from there 20 tonnes head to Toronto daily. One cannot imagine the quantum of goods stuck at airports across the world because of this closure, he said. In all,around 500 tonnes of goods are flown from Mumbai to Europe and the US daily; and most comprises machinery,textile,leather goods and pharmaceutical products. Since Thursday,no airline is accepting cargo bookings. All warehouses in Mumbai are packed because of four days of pending cargo, said Rahul Bhatia,an airfreight forwarder said,We have urgent shipments of aircraft engines that have to go to US. They have been stuck for two days. Unlike perishables,the loss in non-perishable goods is due to increase in transportation cost. Customers fear the demand for goods may also dip if the delay is extended. Airfreight forwarders say airlines may increase fares that were already quite high,once operations resume. There is a huge backlog. Customers will end up paying a lot more to move the goods, said Bharat Thakkar,vice-president,Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI).
