Cargo charges at airports hiked by up to 100%

Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has sharply increased cargo handling charges nationwide, with some rates soaring by as much as 100-fold — the first major revision in five years aimed at aligning tariffs with operational costs.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has officially revised cargo tariffs for the first time in five years. The new rates came into effect on July 1, following an executive committee approval. A formal notification was issued early Wednesday to inform all cargo handlers and stakeholders. Under the new tariff plan, the fee for transporting pet birds has increased by 50%. It has risen from Rs200 to Rs300 per kilogram. The cargo charges for betel leaves have also been doubled from Rs35 to Rs70 per kilogram, affecting traders who regularly ship this item.

General cargo rates have gone up as well, with a 25% increase—from Rs100 to Rs125 per kilogram. These new charges apply to various goods, including pets like cats and dogs, and other items listed under general cargo. Officials said the charges had remained the same for the past five years, while airport operation costs kept rising. They defended the hike, saying it was necessary to cover maintenance and service expenses.