Air Deccan founder, Capt Gopinath, ventures into logistics with Deccan Cargo

Bangalore: Capt GR Gopinath, founder-promoter of Air Deccan, India's first budget carrier, has announced his intention to launch a new cargo airline and logistics firm, Deccan Cargo, which will start operations by the end of the year.

Gopinath said he would own 100 per cent of Deccan Cargo, and that he would invest $200 million (Rs800 crore) in the new venture. Operations would commence with around nine leased A-310 aircraft.

Gopinath said that the funds to be deployed into the venture would be personal.

Currently vice-chairman of Deccan Aviation, which has been acquired by Kingfisher Airlines, Gopinath said he would run the cargo airline independent of the existing carrier.