The Hindu Business Line : More cargo takes to the sky

THE surge in air services to interior India has not only helped passengers but also the movement of cargo from various points in the country to different parts of the globe.

A case in point isAir India's decision to introduce regular services from Amritsar to Birmingham and Toronto, and that of Singapore Airlines (SIA) to introduce flights also from Amritsar to Singapore — a move that has helped lift cargo from Punjab to different parts of the world.

The national carrier that started operations from Amritsar in May is doubling efforts to lift the maximum amount of cargo for both Birmingham and Toronto. In fact, the airline has already ferried about four tonnes of cargo to Toronto despite there being load penalties, AI officials point out. Besides, AI also plans to hire cargo capacity from other airlines to meet the increasing demand for cargo space on the India-Germany and Kerala-Gulf routes.

Apart from the space on regular flights operated by commercial airlines, several airlines have begun or are in the process of starting freighter flights to and from India.

While the national airline of United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Crystal cargo, has launched a once-a-week service between Delhi and Abu Dhabi offering 39 tonnes of cargo space in each direction, Azerbaijan Airlines is planning to start freighter services between Delhi and Baku later this year.

Incidentally, the Etihad Crystal cargo freighter service supplements the 15 tonnes of cargo that the airline can carry on each of the three weekly flights that it operates from Delhi. Azerbaijan Airlines, which plans to use an IL-76 aircraft for the freighter service, also plans to project Baku as a cargo hub for Europe- and India-bound cargo. Similarly, Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, also plans to launch dedicated freighter services to India shortly. The Senior Vice-President, Cargo, Mr Ram Menen, said the airline was planning the launch with the Airbus A-310 aircraft.

"We hope to be able to launch the service to India either late this year or early next. The Airbus A-310 will supplement the cargo space available in the Boeing 747," Mr Menen said. The airline recently took delivery of an Airbus A-310 aircraft.

The state-owned Indian Airlines (IA) has also seen a steady growth in the cargo carried by it. While it carried 317 tonnes of cargo per day in 2002-03, this rose marginally to a daily carriage of 321 tonnes the following year and peaked at 361 tonnes in 2004-05 on its network covering 58 domestic stations and 18 international destinations. The airline also plans to convert the Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet into freighters.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
As airlines take off...
Opportunities for pilots soar

More cargo takes to the sky

Air Deccan adds 3 new N-E flights

No smooth sailing for shipping supply-chain

Fallout of P&O Nedlloyd takeover

Fuelling over-charging

Improving tanker safety

Easy investment rules

Travel agents body to hold 4-day meet in Singapore

Southern Rly Q1 earnings up Rs 115 cr

Transportation cost up