First Flight to launch cargo airline

First Flight Couriers leases three aircraft to start operations

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 1, 2006

Indian courier operator First Flight Couriers is venturing into the cargo airline business. The company last week leased three ATP freighter planes to start the proposed airline, said BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. The long-term lease adds to First Flight's existing cargo planes.

Said RK Saboo, Deputy Managing Director of First Flight: “Our company has grown dramatically in the past 19 years and we are now poised to enter a new phase of growth and development with the creation of our own domestic freight airline. By having our own aircraft, dedicated to carrying our own shipments, we can tailor our products to offer an even better level of service to our customers. We are delighted to have chosen the ATP Freighter, which is the best aircraft in the 8-tonne class, for our requirements, and we are very pleased with the support we have received from BAE Systems.”

According to BAE Systems, the three cargo planes will be delivered to First Flight Couriers from the Q2 of this fiscal. All three will be configured as E-Class bulk freighters.

Established in 1986, First Flight is the largest Indian courier company by volume. It has 721 offices across 1800 destinations in the country, serves 229 countries worldwide. It has has over 8,000 employees and handles over 150 million shipments every year. currently, the Indian shipments are transported across long distances by cargo airlines and then moved to the final destination by a fleet of trucks and small vechicles.

Apart from the aircraft lease deal, First Flight has also inked a Material and Component Repair and Overhaul (MACRO) support contract with BAE Systems, besides a full suite of Customer Training packages from Regional Aircraft.

Said Paul Stirling, Senior Vice President Asset Management of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft: “We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious customer as First Flight Couriers Ltd for the ATP Freighter and look forward to hopefully supplying them with additional aircraft over the years as their freight airline operation grows. At a time of sustained economic growth and new prosperity in India First Flight’s timing looks to be perfect as it seeks to provide a new level of customer service to the growing industrial and commercial base in the country.”

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. it designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems.

BAE Systems is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.