LONDON – IndiGo, India’s leading carrier has commenced IndiGo CarGo air freight operations of its first A321 Freighter aircraft between Delhi and Mumbai, effective November 15, 2022.
The aircraft converted from passenger jet to a full freighter configuration will be used for general freight on the inaugural Delhi to Mumbai flight, while carrying general and e-commerce CarGo on the return leg.
These inaugural flights will carry a payload of more than 20 tons on each leg. IndiGo welcomed its first 321F last month after which it got all registration done.
Progressively this aircraft, and the next aircraft which is expected to arrive later this year, will be deployed on international routes too.
Mr. Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer – CarGo, IndiGo said: “We are excited at kicking off a new chapter in IndiGo’s journey with the inaugural CarGo flights.”
“Delhi and Mumbai are the two biggest commercial hubs in the country, and the response we have received from customers for our service offering is very encouraging.”
“We expect the business to grow over the coming few months, as we expand our fleet of freighters and add new destinations to our CarGo network.”
About the A321P2F aircraft
The A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion) is the most efficient narrow-bodied air cargo freighter available, offering 24 container positions and supporting a payload of up to 27 tonnes.
The aircraft are being converted through a programme involving ST Engineering and Airbus with their joint venture, Elbe FlugzeugWerke (EFW).
IndiGo has leased the aircraft from funds serviced by Castlelake Aviation Holdings (Ireland) Limited, part of a global alternative investment firm with 17 years of tenure investing in, financing, and managing aviation assets
About IndiGo
IndiGo is India’s largest airline and it ranks amongst the fastest growing low-cost carriers in the world. IndiGo maintains a simple operating philosophy: offer fares that are low, flights that are on time, offering a courteous, hygienic, and hassle-free travel experience.
With a fleet of over 275 aircraft, the airline is presently operating over 1600 daily flights and connecting 75 domestic destinations and 26 international destinations.
Summary
News of IndiGo’s first air freighter operations has followed recent news of the Indian low-cost carrier’s mass expansion of routes services on its domestic passenger network.
The carrier has been progressively expanding its regional connectivity in the past few months, and the word is that they intend to commission a second freighter aircraft in December this year.
Beyond servicing the domestic network, the IndiGo CarGo arm looks set to service international markets in China, Vietnam and the Middle East.
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