Air cargo remains downbeat despite easing of lockdown restrictions; exports reach near pre-covid levels

Air freight has been downbeat in the country despite the easing of restrictions by the government even while other means of cargo such as roads logistics have picked up. “Ind-Ra opines a moderate recovery for sea and road transport post the easing of the lockdown restrictions, whereas air transport remains severely stressed,” a report by India Ratings and Research said on Friday. Further, India’s exports level has also reached pre-covid figures even while imports have been severely curtailed amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for boosting exports and cutting down on imports.

“Imports have remained sluggish, while a rebound in export to pre-COVID level led to India’s import-export mix changing to 58:38 (4% for transhipment) in June 2020 from the normal split of 65:30,” the report said.