SpiceJet plans for US PPE shipments

Indian airline SpiceJet is seeking a foreign air carrier permit to operate all-cargo flights between the United States and India for the transport of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as repatriation passenger flights. Air shipments of PPE are increasing as COVID cases once again climb in Europe and the Americas and countries enter another round of lockdowns. [caption id="attachment_65052" align="alignright" width="400"] Photo/SpiceJet[/caption] The initial wave of PPE shipments, primarily out of China, sent airfreight rates through the roof in April and May , but shipments slowed mid-year as countries built up PPE stockpiles. However, demand for PPE has been increasing on China-Europe and China-U.S. routes as of mid-November, according to the TAC Index, which tracks airfreight rates on major trade lanes. An increasing number of PPE shipments have originated from Southeast Asia and India, as countries outside China have also ramped up production of materials for PPE manufacturing and the PPE itself, freight forwarder Hellmann Logistics told Air Cargo World . But capacity from India is unavailable for ocean freight on virtually all trade lanes, and constrained for airfreight to the U.S., according to the most recent update from forwarder Agility Logistics. The Kuwait-based Agility estimates a 50% to 60% reduction due to passenger and freighter cancellations on the route. India-based SpiceJet is now seeking authorization from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate all-cargo service on this constrained trade lane. According to a Nov. 25 application before the DOT, the airline is applying for exemption authority and a foreign air carrier permit for scheduled and charter transportation for service “from points behind India via India and intermediate points to a point or points in the United States and beyond,” and “for all-cargo service or services, between the United States and any point or points,” in line with aviation agreements between the U.S. and Indian governments. SpiceJet is requesting expedited processing of its application so it can operate charter flights for PPE shipments and the repatriation of passengers between Delhi in India and New York’s JFK International Airport “as soon as possible,” according to the application. Planned operations would use SpiceJet’s 737-700 and 737-800 passenger and freighter aircraft. Of the six aircraft detailed in the application, two are freighters and four are passenger aircraft, several of which number among the many passenger freighters SpiceJet has operated so far in 2020 , according to the database compiled by our sister publication, Cargo Facts . SpiceJet may begin U.S.-India charter operations with wet leased aircraft, the carrier said in its application. As noted by our sister publication, charter and ACMI carrier HiFly has operated reconfigured A340-300s on SpiceJet’s behalf since the third quarter. Following initial wet lease operations, SpiceJet said it plans to transition to operations using its own fleet.

SpiceJet plans for US PPE shipments

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