SpiceJet launches dedicated cargo services to North East cities

– First Indian carrier to introduce dedicated cargo flights connecting North East India

– 14 new cargo flights introduced to Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura

– Dedicated freighter operations to improve logistics & connectivity boosting trade

– SpiceJet has transported over 50,000 tons of cargo since nation-wide lockdown began – more than double of all domestic airlines combined together

GURUGRAM: SpiceJet, has launched 14 new cargo flights to and from the north-eastern part of India using its Bombardier Q400 freighters thus ensuring connectivity with the rest of the country.

In line with its commitment to enhance regional connectivity, SpiceJet is the first Indian carrier to introduce dedicated cargo flights for region. These flights will help transport fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, perishables, fish seeds, fresh fish, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, express cargo and other general cargo. Besides improving logistics and connectivity, the new freighter service will boost the growth of trade in the north-eastern markets and help the micro, small and medium enterprises, stated a release.

The airline will operate daily cargo flights on the following sectors: Kolkata-Guwahati, Guwahati-Kolkata, Kolkata-Imphal and Imphal-Kolkata. SpiceJet has also introduced cargo flights between Kolkata and Guwahati via Aizawl and Dimapur which will operate twice-a-week. The airline will also operate cargo flights on the Kolkata-Agartala and Agartala-Guwahati sectors thrice-a-week and twice-a-week on Kolkata-Silchar and Silchar-Guwahati routes.

SpiceJet connects Guwahati with key cities across the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Patna, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Amritsar and has been transporting cargo both to and from the capital of Assam using the belly space of its passenger aircraft.

During the nationwide lockdown there wasn't even a single day when SpiceJet's planes did not take off with vital supplies. The airline ensured that the supply chain to Guwahati and the rest of the North East remained intact carrying key supplies on a daily basis, the release added.

Inaugurating the cargo services of SpiceJet in Guwahati on Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, "I would like to congratulate SpiceJet for this wonderful and much needed initiative that would provide a big boost to traders and business houses in Assam and North East, a region that has such terrific growth potential. Farmers from the region can now transport their fresh farm produce across the country and internationally also. I would urge local businesses, traders, entrepreneurs to make use of this opportunity that provides us access to markets not only within India but across the globe. SpiceJet dedicating a part of its fleet to improving connectivity and strengthening the supply chain in Assam and North East is a welcome step that will immensely help and boost local business, trade, micro, small & medium enterprises and farmers."

Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet said, "I am delighted to announce the launch of our dedicated cargo flights across various cities in North Eastern India. While being one of the most culturally and geographically rich regions in India known for their natural produce, consumables and other essential products, the North East still suffers from a lack of connectivity and it has always been a dream to help better integrate this wonderful part of India with the rest of our country. Our dedicated cargo service will provide the quickest access to farmers and businesses in the North East to transport their goods to the rest of the country while at the same time facilitating easy transportation of essential cargo to the region. As the Prime Minister has said that North East has the potential to become India's growth engine, we sincerely hope that our dedicated cargo flights will help significantly transform the region."

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