The Hindu Business Line : IA board okays conversion of Alliance Air planes into freighters

AS part of its plans to launch a dedicated freighter operation, the board of Indian Airlines on Monday gave its in-principle approval for conversion of five B737 aircraft that are currently being operated by Alliance Air, into cargo aircraft.

Alliance Air will induct A319 aircraft on lease beginning winter schedule of 2005.

According to an official release, the Rs 2,500-crore air express cargo market is seeing 20 per cent growth year-on-year. "Air cargo traffic growth is expected to outpace that of passenger boarding's over the next 20 years. This is a growing market that IA plans to enter and expand over the next few years," said a statement.

These five aircraft are planned to be operated on the hub and spoke pattern with timings that would suit the express cargo market needs.

The service is being envisaged from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, with Nagpur as the hub.

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