Crescent Air Cargo is poised to become India's second dedicated cargo carrier when it launches operations on 14 April using a Fokker50.
The airline has bought a Fokker 50 from Dutch leasing company Aircraft Financing & Trading, says Capt Deepak Parasuraman, managing director of the Chennai-based start-up. The aircraft is due to arrive this week at Fokker Services Asia in Singapore, where it will undergo an E-Class conversion for cargo, he adds.
Crescent is hoping to acquire two more Fokker 50s before its April launch, and aims to eventually increase its fleet to five.
The airline has set a 14 April launch date and plans to start with services between Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. The carrier plans to add services in June, when it puts a second and third Fokker 50 into operation, to the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Crescent's Fokker 50s will carry 6t of cargo, mostly express freight, and will be competing for business against Blue Dart Aviation, which also transports mostly express freight and is currently India's only dedicated cargo carrier.
Source: Flight International
