Air India goes aggressive on cargo operations

Air India has decided to launch its all freighter operations from June this year
To begin with, its first all freighter aircraft, converted from A 310 passenger aircraft would be deployed in the Kerala-Gulf sector. HT first reported about it on April 25. Air India on Tuesday announced the official arrival of this freighter.
Air India, which in the early 90s had an air cargo market share of 30 per cent, is planning to regain its market share from this operation. In the next three years it is planning to a have a fleet of 10 to 12 cargo aircraft having services to the Gulf, the US and far east markets. Apart from own converted aircraft, additional capacities would be leased in the future, Air India officials said.
A full-fledged cargo operation can also improve the yields without the hassles of passenger operations. The breakeven mark in passenger service is 65 per cent load factor while it is higher at 75 per cent load factor in case of cargo.
One of the major reasons behind this move to phase out older aircraft from passenger operations is due to frequent technical snags for which the airline has been receiving flanks from passengers.
01/05/07 Lalatendu Mishra/Hindustan Times

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Categories: Air India May 2007, Cargo May 2007