There is tremendous potential for domestic air cargo growth but “somehow the jigsaw puzzle” was never pieced together, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said as he rued that currently, cargo is only a minuscule part of Indian aviation sector.
Currently, Blue Dart and QuikJet are the only two domestic players operating cargo carriers.
Jet Airways had announced plans to set up a cargo airline in 2015, and had even got Government’s in-principle approval for leasing of a freighter from its strategic investment partner Etihad. However, the airline later shelved the plans, citing market conditions.
Raju said there is a need to motivate entities for air cargo operations.
Even as the domestic passenger growth has been over 20% for many months, cargo segment is lagging behind.
The national civil aviation policy has also given thrust to boosting air cargo business, especially against the backdrop of rising e-commerce activities and exports.
According to him, the world’s largest airline is FedEx, which is completely cargo, and even Indian aviation started with cargo. Raju added that targets are being set and the country is poised for good growth.