By IANS
New Delhi : Flag carrier Air India is to begin dedicated cargo services with the delivery of aircraft configured for the role, even as it prepares to absorb a group of pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Air India on April 24 took delivery of the first of two Airbus A-310 aircraft that are being converted into freighters at the EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company) facility in Germany, a civil aviation ministry statement Wednesday said.
Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Air India, the IAF has released its first list of 14 pilots to be sent to the airline. They include six air vice marshals, seven air commodores and one group captain.
Air India has also concluded negotiations with Malaysian Airlines for six additional landing slots at London's Heathrow airport.
"Air India will not be paying any money to Malaysian Airlines for the slots. Successful conclusion of the agreement would allow Air India to operate six more flights to Britain," the statement said.
Air India and Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) have also been chosen as one of the two ground handling service providers for the upcoming new airport at Shamsabad in Hyderabad that is likely to be operational on March 1, 2008.
Under the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) project the connectivity test of the Indian Reference Station (INRES) at Port Blair with the Indian Master Control Centre (INMCC) at Bangalore is in progress, the statement said.
The ministry permitted 107 tourist charter flights during April. This apart, 975 flights clearances were issued to Indian registered aircraft for over-flying, landing, technical landing and departure to foreign destinations.