SpiceJet moves record 2000 tonnes shrimp & farm produce amid lockdown

May 13, 2020: SpiceJet carries record quantities of 2000 tonnes of fresh farm and shrimp produce during lockdown to help Indian farmers and support the government’s ‘Krishi Udan’ and ‘Marine Krishi Udaan’ initiatives.

The air cargo operator used its dedicated fleet of freighters and passenger aircraft and operating special cargo flights to various domestic and international destinations. As part of its efforts to provide a boost to agro exports, the airline has ferried 1070 tons of farm produce during the lockdown period till May 8, 2020, both within and outside the country. Some of the major markets include -- Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Muscat, Singapore, Kolkata, Kochi and Mumbai.

SpiceJet had launched dedicated freighter flights on February 25 this year to ferry shrimp. The airline has transported 950 tonnes of shrimp during the lockdown phase till May 8, 2020, to help India’s shrimp farmers. Between February 25 and May 8, SpiceJet has transported close to 1550 tonnes of shrimp. The major markets served by the airline under the program include -- Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vishakhapatnam. Shrimp farmers used to face a lot of problems in undertaking timely transportation of seeds in the absence of dedicated freighter flights thereby leading to heavy losses.

To help Indian farmers & support India’s ‘Krishi Udan’ & ‘Marine Krishi Udaan’ initiatives, SpiceJet has transported over 2000 tons of shrimp & farm produce during the lockdown period, including 950 tons of shrimp & 1070 tons of perishable produce.@HardeepSPuri @AjaySingh_SG pic.twitter.com/VACBNwItju

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) May 11, 2020

Ajay Singh, chairman & managing director, SpiceJet, said, “These are the most difficult times for our farmer community who have been amongst the worst hit during this pandemic. In the absence of timely transportation, farmers would have faced huge losses and we are happy that our cargo services have been of help to them. SpiceJet remains firmly committed to the Government's all-out efforts in mitigating the adverse impact of the pandemic.”

Overall, during the lockdown period, the airline has transported 6650 tonnes of cargo
transporting Covid-19 related medical and surgical supplies, sanitizers, face masks, coronavirus rapid test kits, IR thermometers etc. and providing doorstep deliveries of essential supplies, medicines, medical equipment, cold chain medical supplies to various medical and pharma companies, international retailers in this global war against the pandemic.