THE launch of air freight operations from Ozar airport were originally scheduled to begin in March, according to Halcon chief executive officer V Kiran Kumar in a report by the Times of India.However, it's unclear if the plan will actually come to fruition after he was cited as saying, "Some air cargo companies had shown their interests, but nothing concrete has emerged. We have not yet tied up with any air cargo company in this regard."
  Mr Kumar also stated that Halcon, a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Container Corporation of India, has not received any booking requests from the exporters or air cargo companies.
  "We are making all efforts to start air cargo service, but it will take some time," he said, of a venture giving operations clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS.
  To this end, Halcon will set up a stall at an industrial exhibition to be held in Nashik from February 24-27, to raise awareness about its proposed air cargo service offering.
  "We are approaching exporters, informing them about the air cargo services. We are also planning to interact with Nashik Industries and Manufacurers' Assocaition (NIMA) and other industrial associations in the region to promote air cargo services," he added.
  The air freight operations are intended to support export sector in perishables of flowers, fruit and vegetables in the region, pharmaceuticals from Indore and Pune's automobile parts through management of its cold storages, palletisation facilities and additional packing and sorting area.
  The report noted that the plan between Halcon and terminal operator Clarion Solutions to launch air cargo services at Ozar airport was first mooted in September. So far the plan has not attracted any air cargo operators, apart from the landing of the flight IL-76 of Axios Aviation carrying consignments from Russia for HAL in Nashik.

(source:shipping online)