Air cargo growth led the way in the ongoing Indian cargo bonanza, fuelled by a surging Indian economy. A study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ACCI) has found cargo growth in the aviation sector outpacing freight movement by rail and shipping, and is set to bite further into traditionaltransport modes.

The study found that the air cargo business sector has grown by about 19 per cent as against 10.3 per cent and 9.2 per cent for shipping and rail freighttraffi c during last three years.

Economic expansion, robust commercial activity and fast growing food processing sector has led to a strong growth in air cargo traffi c. Domestic airline traffi c grew by about 34 per cent in 2006-07, while international cargotraffi c grew by about 15 per cent.

“With the government laying emphasis on food processing sector and horticulture, there is a need for greater cargo capacity at low cost in the domestic market. Dedicated freight aircraft at national international routes would give a boost to industry,” Assocham president Venugopal N Dhoot said.