Lufthansa Cargo Plans Yet Another Calcutta Service

The new flight will operate on Sundays, as an optional one, to handle the overflow of cargo. Lufthansa's present capacity stands at 25 tonnes per week.

If cargo traffic exceeds this amount by a sufficiently large margin, an extra flight may be added to service the added business.

Speaking to Business Standard, a Lufthansa Cargo source said the weekly overflow of cargo capacity in Calcutta was between 10 and 15 per cent and there was the possibility of it increasing further.

The fourth frequency, which is expected to ease pressure during peak season (around Christmas), will help clear the overflow of cargo that is usually created on Saturdays.

 

Lufthansa Cargo's market share in Calcutta at present stands at approximately 18 to 22 per cent. Most of its cargo movement in the eastern region originates from Calcutta. It mostly consists of finished leather goods.

A small portion of the cargo, comprising machinery parts, comes from the Tata Iron & Steel Co in Jamshedpur as well as from the Steel Authority of India's plants at Durgapur.

The north-eastern sector yields small, perishable cargo of flowers almost all of which comes from Kalimpong.

Lufthansa Cargo India hopes to extend its operations in this region.

Commenting on the operations of other air freight carriers in the region, the Lufthansa source said they did not pose any real threat as the company's credibility in 100 per cent cargo delivery was indisputable.

Lufthansa Cargo's operational strategy was not to offer discounted rates but reliable service made possible by a strong infrastructure and easily available aircraft, the source added.

He added that with the purchase of five additional Boeing 727-200 freight carriers, still under way, the company would be able to distribute load throughout the country, thereby preventing loss of cargo capacity.