Thai Airways launches cargo aircraft

Hyderabad, April 11 (IANS) Thai Airways is introducing its first Boeing 747-400 retrofitted cargo aircraft Thursday.

The aircraft, designed to carry 100 tonnes per flight to and from Asia, Europe and Australia, will make its first stop at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad Thursday.

The aircraft will operate to nine cities - Taipei, Tokyo, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Sydney and Bangkok.

Thai has appointed Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS), a joint venture between Air India Limited and SATS Ltd to provide ground handling services for its cargo freighter aircraft in Hyderabad.

"We look forward to partnering with Thai as an extension to our successful partnership for the handling of their passenger flights. This partnership is in-line with our overall expansion strategy and we are working closely with the entire airport community to contribute to the overall growth of the Hyderabad International Airport." said Willy Ko, CEO, AISATS, in a statement.

AISATS started its Hyderabad operations in March 2008 serving Air India and other leading international airlines. AISATS has in the past year handled over 9,000 flights with staff strength of around 900 people out of Hyderabad.