The Hindu Business Line : Indian plans freighter service from July

The launch of this service will allow passengers to finish their check-in on the Net and head straight for security when they reach the airport without having to wait in line to get their boarding pass.

Mr Ankur Bhatia (left), Executive Director, Bird Information Systems, with Dr Vishwapati Trivedi, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian, at the launch of its Web check-in-facility in the Capital on Tuesday. — Kamal Narang

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New Delhi Feb. 6 The state-owned airline, Indian, plans to start dedicated freighter services from July, the Chairman and Managing Director, Dr V. Trivedi, said here on Tuesday.

"We are likely to call the new operations Indian cargo. The launch of the new service will not affect the ongoing merger process. When the merger process gets underway, Indian cargo can be merged with the new entity," Dr Trivedi told newspersons.

Aircraft Conversions

The airline has already announced that it would be launching the freighter service by converting five Boeing 737-200 aircraft into freighters. "We could also look at converting some of the Airbus A-300 in our fleet into freighter aircraft. However, no decision has been taken on this yet," he said.

The new freighter airline is likely to have tie-up for bulk handling on its freighter services with the Indian Post among others.

New service

Meanwhile, the airlines on Tuesday launched i-check-in facility, which allows passengers to receive their boarding card and choose their seat before reaching the airport.

"The launch of this service will allow passengers to finish their check-in on the Net and head straight for security when they reach the airport without having to wait in line to get their boarding pass," an airline spokesperson said.

To avail themselves of the new service, the passengers would have to log on to www.indianairlines.in, click on i-check-in icon, enter the originating station, PNR number and passenger name, select their seat and then print their boarding card.

The facility allows the passenger to check in for the flight either on the same day or the next day or up to two hours before the scheduled departure. It will be available for passengers travelling with or without luggage. Those travelling with the luggage, however, must arrive at the airport one hour before the departure.