Air cargo dream withers as Air India sells freighters

In a bid to shore-up its falling revenues, cash-strapped Air India plans to sell six B737 freighters, virtually ending its plan to launch a dedicated cargo service.
The state-owned airline has already offered to lease-out five of its eight B777-200 aircraft for eight to ten years and decided to go for sale and leaseback of the first seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners it is expected to receive this year.
The six 30-year-old B737-200s were converted into freighters in 2007, when the airline planned to launch a pan-India cargo service using Nagpur as its hub.
Air India later shelved the plan due to financial worries and sold four Airbus-310 freighters.
As well as the B727 freighters, the latest global tender also includes an intention to sell eight aircraft engines, four auxiliary power units, aircraft seats and spares.
09/01/12 Tuscor Lloyds

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Categories: Air India Jan 2012, Cargo Jan 2012