Air India has stated that it had placed orders for 34 A350-1000, six A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and ten Boeing 777X wide-body aircraft, strengthening the cargo ecosystem in India.
“At Air India, we believe that the air freight market, which the Indian government aims to expand to 10 million tonnes by 2030, has a tremendous amount of potential. Our cargo division is putting in place a number of strategic measures aimed at fostering growth and bolstering our market presence,” according to Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD of Air India.
As a result, over the following five years, Air India’s annual cargo capacity will rise by an astonishing 300 per cent to 2 million tonnes. It promises to give the nation constant access to important international export markets.
The airline stated in a release that the expansion of India’s manufacturing and exports will be complemented by the addition of new wide-body aircraft to its fleet this year and the majority of the aircraft on firm order scheduled to arrive from 2025.
It would not only aid the economy, but will also improve numerous business sectors and create more employment opportunities.
The airline also said that it intends to use the most recent IT technologies, such as blockchain, AI, and drones, to boost the use of technology and increase efficiency. It thinks these developments will make it easier for it to provide a variety of services with global capabilities, such as pharma logistics, door-to-door logistics with international partners, and e-commerce.
In order to unify and enhance user interaction, customer service, and operational efficiency, Air India disclosed the establishment of three 24-hour control centres as part of its growth goals.
Along with joint venture partner SATS, the Tata-owned airline is investing in major projects to expand airport and logistics infrastructure.
Currently, Air India flies cargo to 38 domestic and over 40 overseas locations. However, it seeks to broaden its reach through strategic alliances, interline alliances, and linkages in the trucking network in order to encourage additional exports.