Beyond sea routes, the air cargo sector is also facing a standstill, with hundreds of fruit pallets stuck at various Indian airports. Several Gulf-based airlines have suspended operations to the region due to the escalating conflict, cutting off a vital supply line for time-sensitive agricultural exports. This disruption has hit the high-value grape and pomegranate trade severely, just as the mango season was about to commence. Cargo agents report that cold storage facilities at airports are reaching full capacity, and without an immediate resumption of flights, the quality of the stranded perishables will rapidly deteriorate.