Air India is spreading its wings in the cargo sector, even as it gears up to fly a soaring number of passengers with its rapidly expanding fleet. Targeting a bigger market share of international cargo, the airline has deployed six wide-bodied Boeing 777 aircraft in recent months, besides initiatives such as temperature-controlled transport solutions and bonded truck service, transport of freight that has been checked and sealed by Customs for import or export.
Air India’s cargo division seeks to become more agile, integrated and responsive to the needs of the industry. It is ranked fifth behind global players in the country’s international air cargo business and is eyeing a 300 per cent increase in the cargo segment over the next five years. The expansion will be facilitated by the addition of new wide-body aircraft to its fleet, with several aircraft on firm order scheduled to arrive in 2025, as per a report.