Karachi crushed by customs strike

QATAR Airways and Air France-KLM Cargo have announced plans to restart scheduled freighter services to Karachi (Pakistan) at a time when strikes threaten cargo clearance at the airport.

The Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) is protesting an increase in go-down rent by baggage handlers at Jinnah International Airport, Pakistan’s largest airport.

The strike, over a 40 per cent hike in rent by baggage handlers, will continue until demands are met, the general secretary of KCAA threatened.

According to customs officials, around 350 goods declarations are filed daily by KCAA members for clearance of cargo at the airfreight unit.

Imports at the airfreight unit largely consist of medicines, industrial raw material, spares for plants and machinery, and aircraft parts. In addition, the AFU handles courier cargo.

Qatar will reintroduce a freighter there on 3 April this year. Air France-KLM will also restart Karachi (Pakistan) flights in 2013.