Global economic slowdown is cited as the main reason for the declined volume of cargo handled at Chnnai airport. Development of cargo facilities at other regional airports has also dented the growth in Chennai. The cargo movement at Chennai airport has dipped by 10 per cent in the first half of the financial year 2012-13 compared to same period last year.    

The Chennai airport handled only 1.67 lakh metric tonne of cargo from April to September this year. The airport Dircector HS Suresh said that the recession in the European Union had led to a drop in export of leather goods from Chennai. Lea­t­her products alone contributed to about 30 per cent of exports from Chen­nai, he added.    

Reduction in aircraft movement had also led to drop in cargo movement as passenger planes carried cargo in its belly. Suresh further noted that some of the cargo was also moving to Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports.    

Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations of India advisor PS Kri­s­h­nan said the exch­ange rate fluctuation was also an important reason for dr­op in imports.