Aviation

Is Air India Introducing Dedicated Freighter Services and Optimizing Its Cargo Network?

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As the eCommerce platform rapidly expands, airlines are facing increased demand to transport cargo between various global locations, necessitating faster shipping routes.

As per the sources Economic times. Air India Group is currently consolidating its cargo operations and is considering the creation of a separate entity with dedicated freighters, according to officials. This restructuring will enable the Tata-owned airline to better focus on the growing air cargo market, driven by an expanding economy and increased trade activity.

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Regarding Air India’s cargo strategy, an official mentioned plans to introduce dedicated freighters to accommodate rising cargo volumes. “Additionally, we may spin off the cargo segment into a subsidiary to fully realize its potential,” the official said, though no specific timeline was provided. An Air India spokesperson declined to comment on the potential spin-off or the addition of freighters.

Recent surveys indicate that India is becoming a major hub for imports and exports, with international airlines like DHL, Qatar Airways, and FedEx operating significant cargo operations in this region.

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IndiGo is also planning to establish its own dedicated cargo fleet by converting A320 passenger aircraft. Currently, IndiGo has expanded its network between China and India.

Air India, aiming to enhance its profitability, is adding a dedicated cargo fleet and separating its cargo operations into a distinct entity. This move is expected to address the growing demand for air cargo services.air india a350 interior

According to a second company official, Air India plans to partner with additional sales agents, freight forwarders, and last-mile delivery providers.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.