25 Jan 2006
Indias largest volume courier company to set up domestic freight airline
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has signed long-term leases with First Flight Couriers Private Limited (FFCL) for three ATP Freighters, which will be used by the company to start its own Indian domestic freighter operations.
The three aircraft (msn 2039, 2051 and 2054) will be delivered from the second quarter of 2006 and will be configured as E-Class bulk freighters.
In addition to leasing the aircraft FFCL has signed up for a Material and Component Repair and Overhaul (MACRO) support contract, as well as a full suite of Customer Training packages from Regional Aircraft.
Founded in 1986, First Flight Couriers Private Ltd has developed into Indias largest courier company by volume with 721 offices spanning 1800 destinations in the country and serving 229 countries worldwide. FFCL has over 8,000 employees and handles over 150 million shipments every year.
Currently, shipments within India are carried on belly-hold space on Indian domestic airlines and then transported to their final destinations on a large fleet of trucks, vans and small delivery vehicles. A full range of price and delivery-time differential service modes are offered, such as Express (Document and non-Document), Domestic Cargo (Air or Surface)), International (Express Document or non-Document) and International Cargo.
Mr R.K. Saboo, Deputy Managing Director of FFCL said today: Our company has grown dramatically in the past 19 years and we are now poised to enter a new phase of growth and development with the creation of our own domestic freight airline. By having our own aircraft, dedicated to carrying our own shipments, we can tailor our products to offer an even better level of service to our customers. We are delighted to have chosen the ATP Freighter, which is the best aircraft in the 8-tonne class, for our requirements, and we are very pleased with the support we have received from BAE Systems.
Commenting on this latest ATP Freighter transaction, Mr. Paul Stirling, Senior Vice President Asset Management of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, said: We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious customer as First Flight Couriers Ltd for the ATP Freighter and look forward to hopefully supplying them with additional aircraft over the years as their freight airline operation grows. At a time of sustained economic growth and new prosperity in India First Flights timing looks to be perfect as it seeks to provide a new level of customer service to the growing industrial and commercial base in the country.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The Company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0) 1582 488447
ddaviddorman@aol.com
www.baesystems.com/ocs/others/aircraft/index.htm
