Afcom Holdings has entered a non-binding letter of intent with Boeing for up to four 777-8F freighters, with the aircraft planned for Chennai-based operations. The tentative deal would give the Indian cargo carrier a major capacity lift as it looks to expand beyond its current Middle East-focused network via Dubai into the Far East and Africa.
Deepak Parasuraman, Afcom’s chairperson, indicated that the airline intends to take four aircraft, although the final number could still change before the paperwork is completed. The agreement remains preliminary and is still subject to definitive documents, so it is not yet a firm order.
If finalised, Afcom would become the first Indian carrier to order Boeing’s next-generation 777-8F. The twinjet freighter would represent a substantial step up from the airline’s current Boeing 737-800 freighters, offering about five times the payload and capacity. Afcom currently operates three 737-800 freighters and is working towards a five-aircraft narrowbody fleet, with two more expected soon.