Rudra GTL Aviation Ltd will launch private air cargo services between Kolkata and North-Eastern States. The services for Kolkata-Imphal and Kolkata-Guwahati route will be rolled out within a month, said Mr Manosijj Roy, Director, Rudra GTL.

Lucknow-based GTL, a part of Eureka Group of Enterprises, is into logistics and surface transport industry. Siliguri-headquartered Rudra is a ground and cargo handling solution provider.

Rudra GTL has wet leased two ATR 72 aircraft from Deccan Cargo Express and Logistics Ltd. Under the wet lease arrangement, the Deccan provides the aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to the lessee.

“Based on our experience in Imphal (Manipur) and Guwahati (Assam) we will extend the services to Agartala (Tripura) and Bagdogra (West Bengal). We have already put in place the infrastructure for ground handling at most locations,” Mr Roy said.

Incidentally, freighters and cargo services introduced by several companies such as Gati, First Flight Couriers and Quickjet in the past have not been very successful in the country.

Deccan 360 – the cargo company set up by Captain Gopinath two years ago – also stopped its services in May as volumes did not pick up to service the lease for the three Airbus 310s. The aircraft has since been taken back by the lessors. The only two ATRs left with the company have now been given out on wet lease to Rudra GTL.

Rudra GTL is, however, hopeful of making it big in the cargo industry, Mr Roy said. “Our JV partner GTL has a strong hold on surface transportation industry and we have an expertise in the aviation industry, particularly in the North-East. So we hope to garner good volumes in the business,” he explained.

The company also has plans to operate tourist helicopter services from Kolkata to the adjoining areas and from Siliguri to Darjeeling to help boost the tourism business.

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