The Hindu Business Line : IA cargo automation — Helping air-freight move smoother

SENDING cargo with Indian Airlines could soon become much easier with the state-owned airline planning to complete the process of automation of its cargo operations by the end of the year.

"By the end of the year most of the cargo operations of the airline will be automated. The process is already on. The implementation of the programme will basically look after all the needs of the customer," the airlines' Director Cargo, Ms Anita Khurana told Business Line.

The move will help agents and shippers make on-line bookings, check space availability as well as make queries for prices and track and trace their consignments.

Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad have been chosen as the pilot stations for the automation process. Another seven cities have been identified for the piloting process, which include Bangalore and Chennai.

When the automation process is completed, all 53 stations of the airline will be connected. Even the international stations to which IA operates will have access to the cargo operations.

Officials say that the move towards automation will also help the airline boost its revenue earnings, although no immediate figures are available on how much revenue earnings will increase once all cargo operations are automated.

"The implementation of the automation system will help the airline to utilise its cargo space in a much more efficient manner which will be beneficial for both the shippers and the airline," Ms Khurana said.

The airlines fleet can carry over a 1,000 tonnes of cargo daily and air freight goods, newspapers and mail to not only cities in India but also to destinations in West Asia, South-East Asia and neighbouring countries in South Asia. In an attempt to make its services more adaptable to market needs, the airline offers a number of options including different rates for both time- and rate-sensitive shippers. While time-sensitive shippers can move their cargo on their choice of flight, a rate-sensitive shipper can opt for higher discount on the same rate for movement of cargo on a different flight.

The airline's extensive network also seems to be working to its advantage. IA has been receiving requests from customers for movement of cargo from customs cleared airports. "Pune was recently declared a Customs cleared airport and we are inundated with requests for shipment of cargo from there and surrounding areas," an official said. IA saw growth of almost 19 per cent in overall cargo carriage last year compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, it is also looking at converting some of its Boeing 737 aircraft into freighter aircraft for transportation of goods between major metros. It plans to use Nagpur as a hub for this. The airline plans to start with converting five Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet into freighters.

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