Filled to gill, AI cargoes to newer lands

Mumbai: In just two months after Air India flagged off its first fully dedicated freight carrier, it has toted up an impressive capacity utilisation of 80%. Buoyed by this, the carrier plans to spread its wings by taking its freighters beyond Europe — to markets like China, Japan and the US.
“As more aircraft are being converted into freighters, we may go to markets like China, Japan and even the US. The announcement may come in a few months,” said Mahesh Palkar, manager, marketing, tariff and industry affairs, Air India.
Currently, the two fully dedicated freighters (converted A 310s) of AI are flying to European destinations, including Paris and Frankfurt, with seven trips a week via Bangalore and Chennai and a capacity of 34 tonnes per aircraft.
The cargo carried by the freighters is general cargo, including pharmaceuticals and garments among others.
Air India currently enjoys a market share of 9% in cargo which it estimates will go up to 15% in the first year of the launch of the fully dedicated cargo business.
25/08/07 Shweta Bhanot/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Air India Aug 2007, Cargo Aug 2007, Foreign Aug 2007