The Hindu Business Line : AI evaluating long-haul freighter aircraft

Air India is examining the feasibility of having long-haul freighter aircraft even as it gets ready to send two of its Airbus A-310 aircraft for conversion into freighter aircraft.

"At present we are only sending two of the eight A-310 aircraft owned by us for conversion into freighter aircraft. But I have asked my people to look at long-haul freighters," the airline Chairman and Managing Director, Mr V. Thulasidas said.

The airline is also in talks with other international carriers to explore the possibility of leasing belly space for cargo transportation.

"We are keen to lease belly space to transport cargo on the India-Europe and the India-Gulf sector, including perishable commodities to the Gulf," said Mr Thulasidas.

At present, revenue from cargo operations accounts for less than 10 per cent of the airlines operating revenue. The cargo market is growing at a fast pace with several international airlines looking at launching more freighter flights to and from India. The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is to start operating a twice-a-week freighter flight on the Hong Kong-Mumbai-Chennai-Hong Kong sector with a Boeing 747-200 aircraft from this June 2. Sri Lankan also recently started operating a freighter service to Coimbatore.

Besides, Etihad Crystal Cargo, the cargo division of Etihad Airways, started a once-a-week flight between Abu Dhabi and Delhi in July last year. In addition, Indian Airlines is looking at converting five of its Boeing 737-200 aircraft into freighters.