Oman Air launches freighter service from GMR Hyderabad Airport

Oman Air launched its maiden freighter service from GMR Hyderabad International Airport, operating its first Boeing B737-800BCF connecting Hyderabad and Muscat.

The freighter service will operate two weekly flights, on Tuesday and Saturday, says an official release. With a one-way capacity of 22 tonnes, the freighter will add an additional weekly capacity of 88 tonnes from Hyderabad Airport. The service is poised to boost the export of pharmaceuticals and hatching eggs shipments from the city.

"The Oman Air freighter services from Hyderabad Airport will not only link our diverse industries and the thriving market within the city but will also provide opportunities for the businesses in the surrounding regions access to the global market," says Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport. "As global cargo demand continues to grow, we have emphasised and developed infrastructure and innovative capabilities, digital solutions, and added multiple value additions. We look forward to adding more cargo routes in the coming years.”

With the new connection, Oman Air expects a substantial surge in exports of hatching eggs from Hyderabad, leveraging the large hatchery infrastructure in the city, the release added. "This new connectivity will also boost pharma exports to Oman and further to the U.S. and Europe with Muscat serving as a transhipment base. The Middle East is also a major importer of fruits and vegetables. This new freighter would enhance exports of fruits and vegetables from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to the Middle East."

GMR Hyderabad Airport Cargo serves multiple multinational companies across the pharma, perishable, engineering, automobile, aerospace and leather industries. Apart from all major cargo hubs in India, international destinations like Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha and Hong Kong are also well connected from the Hyderabad International Airport, the release added.