Nashik: A team of officials from SpiceJet, a private airline, will be coming to Nashik on March 16 to explore the possibilities of starting cargo flights to transport vegetables and fruits to the Northeast (NE) states under the Krishi Uddan scheme.
A meeting will be held on Monday between SpiceJet officials, Halcon — which is a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Container Corporation of India (Concor) — and farmers, in Ozar near the city.
“SpiceJet is keen on starting a dedicated freighter to transport vegetables and fruits from Nashik to the NE. Accordingly, the team of officials from SpiceJet will hold talks with Halcon and farmers,” said an official from Halcon.
“Consignments of grapes are sent to Guwahati by road, which takes around five days to reach the destination. Transporting grapes by air will save time and the cost. There are chances of sending pomegranates and other vegetables to NE states through a dedicated freighter,” said Halcon official.
At present, Halcon exports 4,500 tonne of fresh vegetables and fruits annually to London, Dubai and other international markets via Mumbai airport.
Vegetables like okra, drumstick, luffa, flat beans, chilli and others are exported by air directly from Nashik airport to Dubai. Fresh fruits like pomegranate, guava and chiku are also exported via Mumbai airport.
Farmers will get more business if they get new markets like NE states to transport vegetables, said an official from Halcon.
During the three months of the rainy season beginning from June, there has been a huge demand for sheep and goat in Sharjah. Farmers and exporters from Nashik and other parts of North Maharashtra have been exporting goats and sheep for the past few years.
Last year, SpiceJet had started its air cargo service to Sharajah during three months of the rainy season.
SpiceJet will also get this business if it starts air cargo service from Nashik, added the official.
A meeting will be held on Monday between SpiceJet officials, Halcon — which is a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Container Corporation of India (Concor) — and farmers, in Ozar near the city.
“SpiceJet is keen on starting a dedicated freighter to transport vegetables and fruits from Nashik to the NE. Accordingly, the team of officials from SpiceJet will hold talks with Halcon and farmers,” said an official from Halcon.
“Consignments of grapes are sent to Guwahati by road, which takes around five days to reach the destination. Transporting grapes by air will save time and the cost. There are chances of sending pomegranates and other vegetables to NE states through a dedicated freighter,” said Halcon official.
At present, Halcon exports 4,500 tonne of fresh vegetables and fruits annually to London, Dubai and other international markets via Mumbai airport.
Vegetables like okra, drumstick, luffa, flat beans, chilli and others are exported by air directly from Nashik airport to Dubai. Fresh fruits like pomegranate, guava and chiku are also exported via Mumbai airport.
Farmers will get more business if they get new markets like NE states to transport vegetables, said an official from Halcon.
During the three months of the rainy season beginning from June, there has been a huge demand for sheep and goat in Sharjah. Farmers and exporters from Nashik and other parts of North Maharashtra have been exporting goats and sheep for the past few years.
Last year, SpiceJet had started its air cargo service to Sharajah during three months of the rainy season.
SpiceJet will also get this business if it starts air cargo service from Nashik, added the official.
