Air India, with four dedicated freighters, plans to launch its domestic cargo operations from Nagpur starting December 2008. These aircrafts are expected to join the fleet shortly along with one Airbus A310-200 configured freighter next month.

As reported in various media, Air India had planned to launch the service in October but had to defer it as two of its cargo aircraft had to be sent for mandatory checks following an advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The carrier plans to commence domestic cargo operations with four configured Boeing 737-200 aircraft, using Nagpur as the hub and connecting the east, west, north and south with one freighter dedicated for each route.

At present, Air India has seven configured freighters in its fleet, with four B-737-200 and three Airbus A310-300. One more A310-300 is expected to join the fleet after its conversion in December.