Deccan 360 to take flight this week

GR Gopinath, who revolutionised India's aviation industry with the country’s first low-fare carrier Air Deccan, will begin operation of his new express delivery and logistics service this week, pitting him against global heavyweights DHL, TNT and FedEx.

Gopinath’s new cargo and express logistics company, Deccan Express Logistics, will operate under the brand Deccan 360 and aims to offer end-to-end express logistics services within India, and between India and some international markets, starting with Hong Kong and Dubai.

The company is developing a hub-and-spoke network based out of Nagpur and has signed a memorandum of understanding with the GMR Group for setting up express cargo operations at Delhi and Hyderabad airports.

The company will begin operating modestly with only a single Airbus A310 freighter, capable of carrying 35 tonnes, with two more to be added in the coming months. By September, Deccan 360 expects to also operate six ATR-42s as feeder aircraft to smaller Indian cities and to have its ground operations in place.