Gopinath’s new project will take off in Apr-May

Bangalore: Captain G R Gopinath, the pioneer of low-cost aviation in India, who is in the process of raising $50 million (Rs 250 crore), said his new logistics venture Deccan Express Logistics (DEL) is all set to take off in April-May next year.
“We are on track and will launch our logistic business by April-May (next year),” Gopnath told DNA Money. The logistics operation, which will initially be launched with six aircraft, will receive the delivery of its first freighter - an A310 with a capacity of 35 tonnes - by February-end.
DEL has booked slots for the conversion of six aircraft into freighters. Of these, three are wide-bodied A310s with capacities of 35 tonnes and three ATRs with capacities of 5.5-6 tonnes.
Sriram Krishnaswamy, head (marketing and strategy), DEL, said, “We have purchased used aircraft, which are 10-15 years old. We have booked slots for their conversion.
These slots have to be booked well in advance. We are using a vendor in Germany for the conversion.”
The logistics firm has appointed K2 Technology to build its captive information technology (IT) system and the administration of the IT solution will be handled by software firms Infosys and IBM.
DEL, which will be the first Indian logistics firm to operate a hub-and-spoke-model, has already been allotted 100 acres of airside land at the Nagpur airport.
The company has selected Nagpur as the hub from where it will connect to other parts of the country. It has already acquired land or existing facilities in 14 cities that will serve as spokes.
The total cost of the logistics project is Rs 1,000 crore ($200 million).
19/12/08 Praveena Sharma/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: cargo Dec 2008, Deccan Aviation Dec 2008, New Dec 2008