Freight experts have warned that new airline surcharges must be applied with prudence, amid fears that UK importers are being penalised for slack security structures abroad.

Many European airports have announced they may be forced to close, if governments do not offer state aid to cover spiralling insurance costs, in the light of the terrorist atrocities in the US.

But as the crisis deepens, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has expressed concern that surcharges are being applied by airlines to cover tightening costs in nations with far looser security regimes than the UK.

BIFA spokesman John O'Connell said: 'As most know there has been cut backs on flights, particularly across the north Atlantic, although freight rates do not appear to have been raised. However, a surcharge has been applied. The best way of describing this – and all airlines call it something different – is a war-risk surcharge.

'Some companies are saying it is an insurance surcharge. Others say they have increased security costs. But UK airports have a good security structure in place and have done since the 1990s. We do not believe our members should be penalised because other countries' airports are below par.' O'Connell has written to the airlines saying UK airports are among the best in the world on security, and that BIFA will not support any surcharges being made on its members to pay for modernising lax systems elsewhere.

But O'Connell admitted that times were difficult for air carriers, which have seen large numbers of the public refuse to fly as anxiety surrounding air travel smothered the industry since the attacks on September 11.

He recognised that many carriers could not put up passenger prices, amid fears that ticket sales would slump yet further.

'It is very difficult to argue against paying for insurance costs because airlines are on their knees,' he said. 'Their premiums have gone up by 60, 70 and 100 per cent, and they have to cover that. While it could be argued that passengers should pay for these increases in premiums – [the reality is] that then the air companies would be penalising the very bums they are trying to get on seats.' Meanwhile, UK exotics supply-lines from India face severe difficulties as an air-freight stand-off engulfs Mumbai – which exports 80 per cent of all perishables from the Commonwealth nation.

Exports of all perishable items have come to a standstill as exporters in the sub-continent refuse to pay the security charge imposed by carriers since the terrorist action in the US.

However, flights out of the capital Delhi have not been affected, as no security charge has been levied from exporters in the north of the country.

Nevertheless, the losses incurred by fruiterers in India are predicted to be 'immense'.