‘India needs more capacity, funds to operate widebody aircraft’

Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, MoCA while addressing the gathering at PHDCCI Global Aviation and Air Cargo Summit 9th edition said, “India at this point of time cannot afford to have widebody 777 freighter aircraft. Firstly, it is a costly business, each freighter cost over 2000 crores, secondly, India doesn’t have that much capacity or volumes to use widebody freighters to move cargo from one destination to another. During COVID, Indian airlines operated freighters or P2Fs which is fantastic, IndiGo has its own freighter, SpiceJet operated a few during pandemic. Vistara did well too. Otherwise in India, only narrow body freighters can be used effectively. India needs to have great financial muscle to pull this off the ground.” He added, ” Also, a lot of developments are happening in terms of developing dedicated freight corridors, trucking speed as gone up like from Delhi to Bombay, Delhi to Lucknow, Delhi to Kolkata, therefore turnaround time has reduced. Also, I am looking forward to having more electric aircraft. Blending of SAF will power Indian aircraft.”