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Darbhanga: Bihar’s famed Mithila litchi has seen a bumper export season in 2025, with a record-breaking 250 tonnes dispatched from Darbhanga Airport to major cities across India – more than double last year’s tally. The milestone marks a 108% increase in air cargo shipments compared to the 120 tonnes exported in 2024.
The juicy fruit, grown predominantly in the northern parts of the state, has made its way to major metros including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The surge in exports is being attributed to improved coordination between air cargo services and agricultural producers, providing farmers with greater access to high-value markets.
Darbhanga Airport emerges as key export hub
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been instrumental in facilitating this growth, with Darbhanga Airport emerging as a central node in the distribution network. Enhanced cargo handling capabilities and faster turnaround times helped ensure the litchis reached their destinations fresh.
SpiceJet was the first to take off with the fruit on May 21, just a day after receiving clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Indigo followed shortly on May 23 and Akasa joined from June 1. Of the total shipments, Indigo transported 159.2 tonnes, followed by SpiceJet with 47 tonnes and Akasa with 44.5 tonnes.
Smooth operations despite weather challenges
Despite unpredictable weather conditions in the region, seamless coordination between regional headquarters (RHQ ER), AAI officials, AAICLAS (AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services) and airline partners ensured uninterrupted operations throughout the export window.
