Air India sets sights on cargo biz for growth

Air India is looking to scale up its cargo business, and is exploring the possibility of inducting freighters, in a bid to gain market share. The Tata Sons-owned airline, which boasts a 118-plane strong fleet, recently ordered 470 aircraft. Unlike IndiGo and SpiceJet, it doesn't possess any freighters planes that purely fly cargo. It transports freight in the belly space of its Boeing and Airbus passenger aircraft.

- ANEESH PHADNIS

"We are exploring the possibility of inducting freighter capacity into the network, both directly and in collaboration with partners," Air India said in an emailed response, adding that cargo revenue is "expected to be a significant part of the revenue mix" of the airline. It did not share any revenue figures.

The airline has also refreshed its cargo department. Ramesh Mamidala, who until recently was the chief cargo officer at Adani Airports Holding, has taken charge as head of cargo business at Air India.