By Maria Kalamatas | July 31, 2025
Rajkot, July 31 — Rajkot International Airport in Gujarat, India, has been granted official clearance to handle export cargo through its passenger terminal, easing months of logistical delays caused by the absence of a dedicated freight facility. The move eliminates a 220‑kilometer detour to Ahmedabad, a route exporters were forced to use until now.
“We’ve been waiting for this clearance since the airport opened,” said Manoj Patel, owner of Morbi Ceramics Exports, which ships tiles and mechanical components to Europe and the Gulf. “Every truck we had to send to Ahmedabad cost us time and tens of thousands of rupees in added expenses.”
A lifeline for exporters
The interim authorization, approved by customs authorities, allows three freight forwarders to begin moving shipments immediately, including silver and gold jewelry, ceramics, and industrial parts. Officials expect daily cargo volumes of 8,000 to 12,000 kilograms to be processed at Rajkot instead of rerouted through Ahmedabad.
“This is a crucial step for our exporters, especially those in Morbi,” noted an Airports Authority of India representative. “It will cut both lead times and costs, boosting competitiveness in key markets.”
Bottlenecks finally addressed
Until this approval, exporters relied on a single daily trucking route, often plagued by congestion, weather, and late‑night customs queues in Ahmedabad. With Rajkot handling cargo directly, exporters anticipate faster clearances and improved access to Delhi‑bound morning flights, a key connection for Europe and the Middle East.
Airlines and handlers prepare
Local ground handlers and airlines are expanding staff to meet the new cargo flow. Airport authorities are also in talks to expand cold‑storage capacity and streamline customs checks ahead of Diwali‑season export spikes.
“This change will immediately benefit regional exporters,” Patel added. “For the first time, we can deliver directly from Rajkot to global markets without the 220‑kilometer detour.”
What’s next
Rajkot’s dedicated cargo terminal is still under construction, with completion expected by mid‑2026. In the meantime, authorities are considering adding a morning flight to Delhi and more customs staff to avoid bottlenecks as export volumes surge.
