Gopinath's `Deccan 360' to start freighter operations on 27 May

08 May 2009

G R Gopinath, who founded India's first budget carrier Air Deccan, on  Friday announced the launch of a door-to-door international freight and cargo service with effect from 27 May.

The freight carrier, 'Deccan 360, which will start with an A310 freighter, will add two more and will operate on its own fleet of aircraft. Later, the fleet will have three more ATR aircraft for regional operations.

''We will start with one A310 freighter. We expect two more to be inducted by next month and three ATR aircraft later,'' Gopinath said, adding, ''There is tremendous scope for freight operations in India.''

Initially, the freight carrier will operate in the Delhi-Chennai-Hong Kong-Dubai sector, targeting multiple industry verticals such as automotive spare parts, textiles, pharmaceutical, machinery and heavy equipment, banking and organised retail.

Later, the air cargo operations would be extended to all parts of the country.

He said the lack of air connectivity has hampered marketing efforts of both the farmers and smaller businesses in the country.