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Kingfisher Red (erstwhile Simplifly Deccan) will soon sign a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) with state-run Maharashtra Airport Development
Company Limited (MADC) for starting its cargo operations from Nagpur, the
second capital of Maharashtra. Kingfisher Red will daily operate 30 aircraft
and carry out its cargo operations from Nagpur. Currently, Nagpur's cargo
handling capacity is barely 11,000 tonnes and is expected to increase to 8
lakh tonnes.
Kingfisher Red's chief, Capt Gopinath has already announced an investment
of 200 million in Kingfisher Red Cargo, a new cargo airline and logistics firm
which is expected to begin operations by the end 2008.
MADC is currently involved in the development of a multimodal international
cargo hub and airport project at Nagpur (MIHAN). MADC vice chairman and
managing director RC Sinha said that Kingfisher Red was one of the few
airlines which was roped in to begin cargo operations. He informed that as
more and more airlines are being persuaded to operate from Nagpur, the
present airport areas would be increased. Sinha discussed the upcoming plan
of MADC with FE on the sidelines of the interactive session on `Development
of Logistics Hub at Nagpur -Today and Tomorrow‘ at the Indian Merchants
Chamber (IMC).
Sinha informed that MADC had recently signed a MoU with Boeing for
setting up their repair centre at Nagpur. "With the cooperation from the
Centre and the state government, MADC is developing Nagpur airport as a
international passenger and cargo hub by upgrading the existing airport to
international standards and expanding it by constructing a second parallel
runway, state-of-the-art passenger and cargo terminal building and facilities
for passenger, baggage and cargo handling. Sinha said that three years ago
about 4 lakh passengers traveled from Nagpur. However, today over 7-8 lakh
passengers travel through Nagpur and is expected to go over 13 lakh
passengers by 2028.
Estimating the rise in passenger traffic, Sinha said while only 6 flights were
operated, today 23 flights take-off daily of which three fly to Sharjah, Doha
and Bangkok. "By 2028, we expect a frequency of over 150 flights a day out
of which 20 would be international flights," said Sinha. |
