Cathay Pacific to triple Indian air cargo operations

One-third of Cathay's revenues come from cargo

BY A CORRESPONDENT
March 24, 2006

Cathay Pacific Airways plans to triple the quantum of cargo operations from India by September this year, even as it is planning to operate a non-stop freighter service between India and Hong Kong. "We currently operate three cargo flights from Mumbai and Delhi, and by around mid this year, we will be adding seven more," Cathay Pacific Country Manager (India, Nepal and Bangladesh) Rupert Bray told reporters.

The increase in freighter planes is pegged on the increase in cargo being moved both in and out of the country. Cargo flights have been registering a 16.5 per cent year-on-year growth in India.

In June, Cathay Pacific Airways will start cargo flights on Hong Kong-Mumbai-Paris and, by August, these would be upgraded to four non-stop freighters. Cathay Pacific Airways will introduce two more freighters between Hong Kong and India.

The company operates three weekly Boeing 747-400 frieghter in Hong Kong-Delhi-London route and another three cargo flights in Honk Kong-Mumbai route. At present, it handles 100 tonne of cargo in each of its freighter aircraft from India and around 20 tonne in its regular passenger flights. About one third of the airline's revenue comes through cargo operations.