Domestic carriers queue up to develop dedicated cargo hubs

Mumbai: In a bid to exploit increasing cargo growth, domestic carriers are planning to develop dedicated cargo hubs. These hubs will be designed as distribution and re-distribution centres for the airlines for air cargo.
For example, Kingfisher Airlines is looking at Goa and Banglaore as potential locations while Jet Airways is eyeing at Hyderabad and Bangalore.
National Aviation Company of India (NACIL), in which Indian Airlines and Air India have merged, was originally looking at Nagpur, but the state-run airline is also looking at other centres including Delhi. Deccan Cargo & Express Logistics Private Limited has already zeroed in at Nagpur. Capt Gopinath's Deccan has signed a memorandum of understanding with state government authorities to develop its cargo hub.
Carriers such as SpiceJet and IndiGo are also in the process of identifying locations for their cargo hubs. GoAir has also plans to start dedicated cargo airline based out of Mumbai.
According to Tulsi Nowlakha Mirchandaney, managing director, Blue Dart Aviation, the economy is primarily driven by domestic consumption and therefore, the hub selection should be based on that. She said Chennai and Mumbai have potential to become as cargo hubs.
Industry sources said the air cargo is growing faster (19%) than shipping (10%) and railways (9%). The report said the impact of rising costs on air cargo volumes has not been drastic.
29/09/08 Economic Times

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Categories: Cargo Sep 2008, Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2008