SpiceJet operates maiden cargo flight to Russia carrying medical supplies

SpiceJet has operated its maiden cargo flight to Moscow from Hyderabad, adding Russia to its international cargo network, carrying over 16 tonnes of pharma supplies.

New Delhi: Air cargo operator SpiceJet has added Moscow to its fast-growing international cargo network by operating its maiden cargo flight from Hyderabad to Moscow carrying over 16 tonnes of pharma supplies.

According to reports, SpiceJet deployed its Boeing 737 freighter aircraft for this cargo flight which will reach Domodedovo Airport at 12 noon (Local Time) on Wednesday. It has transported over 15,700 tons of cargo on close to 2,234 flights since the nation-wide lockdown began. The airline is operating 42 cargo flights today.

"Moscow is the latest addition to our fast expanding cargo network which spans over 35 international destinations. We have added six new international destinations in the last ten days," Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet, said.

"Since the lockdown began, SpiceJet has operated more than 2,200 cargo flights and has carried around 15,700 tons of cargo," he added.

SpiceJet has operated special cargo flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Almaty, Baghdad, Bahrain, Bangkok, Bishkek, Cambodia, Cairo, Cebu, Colombo, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Huangzhou, Incheon, Jakarta, Kabul, Kathmandu, Khartoum, Kyrgyzstan, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Male, Myanmar, Shanghai, Singapore, Sharjah, Sulaymaniyah, Tashkent, Ukraine, and a host of other places. The carriage of air cargo seems to be the only bright spot for the airlines amid the coronavirus lockdown, reports said.

According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) report, "compared to 2019, overall freight tonnes carried are expected to drop by 10.3 million tonnes to 51 million tonnes. However, a severe shortage in cargo capacity due to the unavailability of belly cargo on (grounded) passenger aircraft is expected to push rates up by some 30% for the year.

"Cargo revenues will reach a near-record $110.8 billion in 2020 (up from $102.4 billion in 2019). As a portion of industry revenues, cargo will contribute approximately 26% up from 12% in 2019," the IATA said.

SpiceJet operated the country’s first cargo-on-seat flight on April 7 carrying vital supplies in passenger cabin & belly space. Since then, the airline has been regularly deploying its B737 and Q400 passenger aircraft to carry cargo in the passenger cabin.

Notably, SpiceXpress, SpiceJet’s dedicated cargo arm, has been regularly transporting surgical supplies, sanitizers, face masks, coronavirus rapid test kits, IR thermometers etc. and providing doorstep deliveries of essential supplies, medicines and medical equipment to various cities in India.