US-based Avicore mulls foray in India

The aviation boom is the country continues to beckon more airlines.

Mulling to join the bandwagon is Avicore, a US-based company, prompted by an NRG which is exploring country's aviation market to start cargo and fixed destination based operations.

"Avicore visited Ahmedabad airport to assess the aviation market, recently," a senior Ahmedabad Airport official told Business Standard.

"They are also planning to visit airports in other cities including the four metros," he added.

The company will venture into cargo flights and fixed destination based operations.

However, the company will decide on the type of aircraft, destinations and frequency after they complete a market research, the source added.

Director of Gujarat State Exports Corporation, Samir Mankad confirmed the developments by saying, "Avicore officials have had a meeting with AAI, Ahmedabad officials for their foray into the cargo flights in India. But the talks are at a preliminary stage."

Currently, there are no freight flights operating from the Ahmedabad airport.

Blue Dart's cargo flight which is scheduled to start their operations from June 6 will be the first cargo flight to operate at the airport.

For the international airport, embarking and de-embarking of cargo was 22,78 MT and 1405 MT around half of which are carried by bonded trucking.

It will operate in domestic destinations and will be connected to six destinations - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.

The total cargo embarking and de-embarking in Ahmedabad domestic airport last year was 8012 MT and 5508 MT respectively.

The bonded trucking which handles export cargo carries around 200 tonne a month to either Delhi or Mumbai from where they are flown to other international destinations, Mankad added.