SpiceJet operates its maiden flight to China to bring medical essentials

The airline is also operating freighters to Singapore and Sri Lanka

spicejet Representative image | Reuters

Budget carrier SpiceJet will be operating its first-ever B737 cargo freighter flight to China on Wednesday to ferry COVID-19 related essential medical supplies from Shanghai to Hyderabad.

While announcing the cargo operation to China, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak, SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said, “From today, SpiceJet freighters have begun ferrying crucial medical supplies from China. In addition to Shanghai, we are also operating freighters to Singapore and Sri Lanka today. "

Singh added that regular SpiceJet cargo flights are also being operated to Hong Kong, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Ho Chi Minh City and other places.

“Airline domestic cargo operations have been boosted by our passenger aircraft fleet where both our B737 and Q400 aircraft have been deployed to operate cargo-on-seat flights,” Singh said.

"We have put our resources to maximum use transporting over 2,700 tons of cargo on more than 300 flights since the nation-wide lockdown began.” he further said.

‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated by the ministry of civil aviation to transport essential medical supplies to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19. 

According to figures compiled by the DGCA, 227 flights have been operated under the ‘Lifeline Udan’ by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. Of these, 138 flights have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. Cargo transported till date is around 407.40 tons.  

SpiceJet claims that it is operating a cargo flight to Colombo carrying farm produce from West Bengal and another cargo flight to Singapore on Wednesday.

On April 10, the airline operated its first-ever cargo flight from Hyderabad to Ho Chi Minh City carrying medical supplies while another cargo freighter brought in critical medical equipment to Bengaluru from Singapore. The airline operated its first cargo freighter on the Chennai-Singapore-Chennai route on April 9 to bring critical medical equipment and devices to India.

SpiceJet has been using its Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400 fleet to carry cargo in the passenger cabin. The airline operated the country’s first cargo-on-seat flight on April 7.

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

SpiceJet has ferried more than 4000 Coronavirus Rapid Test Kits to Kozhikode from Mumbai beginning April 2.

On March 29, SpiceJet operated a special flight between Delhi and Jodhpur to facilitate transportation of 136 Indian passengers evacuated from COVID-19 hit Iran to a government quarantine facility in the city.

SpiceJet operated a special charter flight on March 27 from Delhi to Coimbatore on government's request and transported a Hazmat suit that is helping local authorities replicate and start local manufacturing. The airline helped transport an emergency consignment of IR Thermometers, required to detect COVID-19, to Kolkata from Hong Kong on March 26.

The airline has also operated special cargo flights to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and other countries taking fresh fruits and vegetables and helping Indian farmers maintain continuity of their supply chains in addition to operating dedicated services from Chennai and Vishakhapatnam to Surat and Kolkata.

TAGS