Cheaper flights for agro-goods to Gulf

Land exporters ask Iraq, Egypt to drop transit fees

Emirates Airlines will start operating weekly cargo flights on the Dubai-Beirut-Dubai route at discounted fares in a bid to help exporters deliver local products to Gulf markets. One flight will be launched each Thursday starting April 25 until the end of October. “The flights will have low prices to support exporters, mainly those of agricultural products, in light of the difficulties surrounding overland trade,” a source at Emirates SkyCargo said.

Agricultural products that can be shipped by sea or air cargo include bananas, potatoes, and apples. Each cargo flight plane can carry up to 100 tons of goods. “So far we’ve had good demand on these flights, which was evident through the high reservations rate,” the source said.

Local authorities have also been working to facilitate sea and land shipping. Turkey agreed to remove border crossing and transit fees imposed on transport trucks. Memos were sent to Iraq and Egypt urging them to do the same. Negotiations are still underway, according to Abdul-Hafiz Al Qaisi, General Director of the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.

Iraq has recently agreed to allow local merchandise to transit from the Abboudieh border crossing through its territories to reach the Jordanian market. “Transit fees for this route will be paid for now but we are working with the authorities there to eliminate them,” Qaisi said.

Maritime routes have already been established with each of Jordan, Tunisia, and Russia. Transportation by sea from Tripoli to Egypt and vice versa costs $3,200 per transit truck.