GCCI seeks nod for foreign cargo airlines to fly multi-stop routes

Panaji: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has written to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow foreign cargo airlines to undertake “double-dipping” operations within India.

Double-dipping refers to scheduling a cargo aircraft to operate two or more pick-ups or deliveries within a single round trip.“This operational flexibility will play a critical role in boosting domestic air cargo logistics by improving connectivity to Tier-II cities and bolstering route economics,” said GCCI president Pratima Dhond.The double-dipping model is common across global air, ocean, and ground logistics networks.

Dhond said that permitting double-dipping operations would enable cargo airlines to link Goa with other cargo hubs in a single trip. This would catalyse Goa’s import-export trade, industrial growth, and air cargo infrastructure across Goa and surrounding Tier-II and Tier-III catchment areas, she said.GCCI has said enabling double-dipping will improve aircraft utilisation while reducing non-revenue trips.

“Increased revenue generation and additional cargo legs in a single sortie improve billable volume and overall revenue, without requiring more aircraft deployment. This will lead to a lower cost per ton. Operating costs such as fuel, crew, and maintenance are distributed across greater cargo loads, improving overall cost-efficiency,” said Dhond in the letter to the minister for civil aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.GCCI said this will cut carbon emissions and help airlines meet environmental goals. Dhond also pushed for boosting air cargo viability in Goa, noting its 70 pharmaceutical manufacturing units export about 2,500 metric tons monthly.“Goa has emerged as a vital export hub for pharma, electronics, perishables, and marine goods. Due to packaging standards and aircraft floor limitations, much of this cargo is only compatible with freighter aircraft. However, the current export-import imbalance and Goa’s limited freighter connectivity make regular schedules hard to sustain,” said Dhond.