AI’s first all cargo aircraft to arrive in Mumbai

First of Air India’s A-310s sent to Germany for an all cargo configuration has been delivered in Dresden on Tuesday, after four-month-long conversion process. The freighter is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Never before, in the 75-year history of Air India, has any of its aircraft been converted for cargo operations. Global leaders in military transport and freighter aircraft, European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company (EADS) NV, converted the 16 year-old passenger aircraft, one of the youngest in the A-310 fleet. Another A-310 currently undergoing a conversion at EADS is scheduled to arrive in a few weeks.
The cost of conversation per aircraft is approximately $7 million and the payback period is around four years, said airline officials. Air India director (Finance) and spokesman S Venkat confirmed the development.
Air India has decided to deploy this freighter in the Kerala-Gulf sector to cater to the increasing demand from importers and exporters. From June onwards, full-fledged cargo operations will begin in this sector.
24/04/07 Lalatendu Mishra/Hindustan Times

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Categories: Air India Apr 2007, Cargo Apr 2007