Blue Dart Aviation, a subsidiary of express cargo firm Blue Dart Express, is exploring options to start scheduled overseas operations.
MUMBAI: Blue Dart Aviation, a subsidiary of express cargo firm Blue Dart Express, is exploring options to start scheduled overseas operations.
The move would enable the air cargo company to improve utilisation of its aircraft, which currently fly for only eight hours at night. The company not indicated any timeframe for the start of these operations.
Anil Khanna, MD, Blue Dart Express told DNA Money, “We are working closely with DHL global aviation group to see whether our aircraft can be leveraged for international operations.
As part of our business expansion, we keep evaluating all options and if we find that it makes commercial sense and can be operationally put together, we will explore it.” DHL, the European logistics giant, has a controlling stake in the company and operations of the two are synchronised.
Blue Dart has a fleet size of seven, made up of four Boeing 737 and 3 Boeing 757 aircraft. Express cargo operations being an overnight service, the aircraft are stationed idle during the day. Usage of these through the day for an international service would help the company make more efficient use of its assets.
Vishok Mansingh, chief technology & logistics manager, Blue Dart Aviation, said, “We have options to fly to destinations which are within the range of our narrow body fleet.
It has to be planned not to disturb our existing night operations. There have previously been chartered flights to countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. But now trade between India and SAARC countries as well as South East Asia is opening up.”
While the firm did not give any indication as to the routes under consideration, Khanna said, “It will depend on the loads and if it justifies flying an aircraft on that route, then definitely we will look at it.”
One bottleneck the sector could face is the inadequate infrastructure at India’s over crowded airports. These limitations, especially in terms of parking, can force cargo to take a backseat to passenger operations.
n_john@dnaindia.net, s_archana23@dnaindia.net
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