Global cargo firms keen to fly into India

New Delhi: The air cargo industry in India is all set to expand its wings. According to ministry of civil aviation, three international companies — FedEx, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Australia-based HeavyLift Cargo Airlines — have approached the ministry seeking details on setting up and expanding their operations in India.
The three freighter service providers have sought clarification on the recent Cabinet decision to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap from 49% to 74% in the air cargo sector.
When SundayET contacted FedEx, the official spokesperson declined to comment. “As a matter if policy, we don’t comment on corporate developments,” the spokesperson told SundayET. Currently, there exist only 12 aircraft dedicated to freighter services in India.
According to ministry sources, MAS plans to start a dedicated freighter service between Kuala Lumpur and Delhi this year and is also considering using Delhi as its cargo transit point from Amsterdam and Frankfurt. At present, MAS has no dedicated freighter services to India.
A World Air Cargo report says India is the leading international freight market in the sub-continent. Out of the total 1.4 million tonnes of international cargo that flew in and out of the region, India moved the maximum with 8.82 lakh tonnes.
24/02/08 Raja Awasthi & Dheeraj Tiwari

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Categories: Cargo Feb 2008, Foreign Feb 2008, New Feb 2008