Full service carrier Vistara has deployed its newly-inducted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to transport relief material, medical supplies and essential commercial goods during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The flight will be part of the Civil Aviation Ministry’s ‘Lifeline Udan’ initiative that aims to transport medical supplies and essential goods across the country.
“We thank the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for approving our B787 operations and allowing us to play our part towards this initiative,” Vistara Chief Commercial Officer Vinod Kannan said.
Each of the cargo flights on Vistara’s Dreamliner have a capacity of 20 tonnes, ensuring continuous supply and replenishment of medicines, equipment and other necessary goods wherever necessary.
On April 19, Vistara operated the first cargo flight between Delhi and Mumbai. The carrier said it will operate more such flights over the next two weeks, carrying vital supplies and commercial cargo to and from various parts of India, including but not limited to Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.
“We are making every possible effort within our means to help India fight COVID-19, and delivering life-saving medical supplies to our fellow citizens is one of them,” Kannan said.
Vistara will continue to explore more opportunities of cargo operations in the following weeks while ensuring that the operating and assisting staff on all its cargo flights, including tech crew, engineers, security personnel and cargo loaders take all necessary precautions for their health and safety while on duty.
“We will use all available resources to support the Government, businesses and communities across the country who might need our help in these very tough times,” Kannan added.
