‘Similar tensions previously drove 10%to 15% airfreight costs’

C K Govil, President, ACAAI said, “Since Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspaces are shut, Indian airlines are diverting flights through Central Asia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, or via Hindu Kush routes. This rerouting adds hours to flight times, increases fuel usage and forces extra technical stops, pushing costs up. While exact rates aren’t yet public, similar tensions previously drove a 10–15 % air‑freight cost increase. Indian cargo trade is impacted, across both air and sea lanes, due to longer routes, rising fuel/insurance costs and logistical shifts. Expect exporters to feel margin pressure unless the situation stabilises soon.”