Air India flies over 1,000 tonnes of premium mangoes in just three months

Air India has transported over 1,000 tonnes of fresh produce, including mangoes, between March and May this year. The airline’s cargo division handled 805 tonnes in March alone, rising to 1,275 tonnes in April before slightly dipping to 1,233 tonnes in May. Officials highlight the growing demand for premium Indian mangoes abroad, particularly from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) remains a central hub for mango exports. Last year, the airport processed 3,624 metric tonnes of mango shipments, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year. Most of the produce originates from western India, where Maharashtra’s Alphonso and Gujarat’s Kesar varieties are in high demand.

Air India’s cold-storage and active-container facilities span 14 airports, enabling the airline to manage over 4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually. Ramesh Mamidala, the carrier’s head of cargo, noted that moving more than 1,000 tonnes of mangoes demonstrates both market appetite and the efficiency of their cold-chain logistics. Key destinations included Frankfurt, which received around 40 tonnes, while Dubai, Newark, and New York JFK each took roughly 30 tonnes per week. London Heathrow saw the highest volumes, with up to 180 tonnes uplifted weekly from Mumbai during peak periods.

The surge in mango exports underscores the global appetite for Indian varieties, particularly Alphonso and Kesar. Air India’s expanded cold-chain network and strategic airport hubs have supported this growth. With demand rising, the airline’s cargo operations are set to play an even larger role in agricultural trade.