The first freighter aircraft of Air India was welcomed at Frankfurt Airport by representatives of Air India and Fraport. The A310-freighter took off to Chennai. The freighter has a stop-over at Dammam and Mumbai. Thanks to complete traffic rights to Dammam, Air India now provides destinations in Saudi Arabia.

Air India is planning to operate up to five weekly freighter operations in order to supplement the belly capacity of currently 14 passenger flights per week. Wolfgang Scholinz, Cargo Manager of Air India Germany, is glad about the additional space: 'Due to the additional flights we can now meet the strong demand for capacity to and from India. Moreover destinations in Saudi Arabia can be offered at attractive prices. At Frankfurt airport, our customers benefit from established handling procedures and short distances to their own consolidation-centres.'

Fraport provides aircraft and cargo handling for Air India. Winfried Hartmann, Managing Director of Fraport Cargo Services, says: 'Since many years, Air India is a customer of Fraport Cargo Services. We watch a continuously positive tonnage development which is far above the growth of the total market. We are glad to participate in the boom of the Indian market together with Air India.'

Wolfgang Scholinz draws a positive balance of the first flight: 'The technical condition of the aircraft, which just completed the freighter-conversion, is excellent. The service rendered by Fraport was highly satisfying - it was a successful first flight!'