Aviation: Govt mulls commencing air cargo services to tap potential

Since India has emerged as one of the fastest growing domestic aviation markets in the world, the government is working on an air cargo policy to tap the potential of air cargo services in the country. Recently, Union Civil Aviation Ministry held discussions in this regard with various stakeholders under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, the ministry said in a tweet. 

According to the tweet, "HMoSCA @jayantsinha chaired a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss issues concerning the air cargo industry in the country. The government is working to create efficient supply chains i.e. making globally-competitive industry based in India."

Earlier this month, Jayant Sinha had reportedly stated that various areas, including the nature of demand, supply and cargo capabilities of other countries, would be looked at while preparing the country's policy on air cargo.

HMoSCA @jayantsinha chaired a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss issues concerning the air cargo industry in the country.

The government is working to create efficient supply chains i.e. making globally-competitive industry based in India. pic.twitter.com/PcuUp7PDB6

— Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) September 19, 2018

Notably, domestic firm SpiceJet has launched dedicated air cargo services this month to boost revenue and expand its footprint beyond commercial passenger operations.

The low-cost domestic airline would have a separate air cargo fleet comprising Boeing 737 planes, besides planning to add the first four aircraft by the 2019 fiscal year. 

The airline has reportedly stated that the air cargo traffic in India is expected to grow by 60 percent in the next five years.

The new planes were expected to increase SpiceJet's cargo capacity to as much as 900 tonnes per day by FY2019 from 500 tonnes per day at present, the company statement said.

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SpiceJet's cargo business, under the brand name SpiceXpress, will transport everything from letters and credit cards to blood, organs, and medicines, the airline statement said, adding that other shipments would include automobiles, apparels, consumer electronics, e-commerce, and live animals.