(Philippines) TNT Express has launched a dedicated B767 freighter service between India and Europe, the country’s largest trade partner. The service will run five times a week between New Delhi and TNT’s European air hub in Belgium, with a stopover in Dubai on the way back to India.
The new service will enable TNT Express customers to enjoy faster transit times, as well as improved control and visibility over shipments moving between India and Europe.
The new B767 freighter service has a weekly capacity of 210 tons and reflects TNT’s commitment to improving connectivity between India and Europe. Shipments depart from New Delhi at the end of each work day and arrive in Europe before the start of the next working day. The return flight allows TNT to collect and uplift shipments from Europe on the same day.
The introduction of the India-Europe service is part of TNT’s plan to expand its leadership position on Asia-Europe routes. TNT now operates flights to Europe from five strategic locations in Asia: New Delhi, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.
Abhik Mitra, Managing Director of TNT India said, "TNT India has been recording year-on-year growth of more than 20 per cent in India. The addition of a dedicated TNT freighter from India will enable our customers to become even more competitive due to faster factory-to-market lead times and improved efficiency. With the frequency of our service, it will now take just one day for shipments to reach Europe from New Delhi."
Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines has grown steadily through the years, from $180 million in 1998 to $372 million in 2004. Indian exports to the Philippines also stood at $283 million while imports from the Philippines have been pegged at $89 million.
By 2009, India was ranked the 18th largest trading partner with the Philippines; 22nd in the export market; and 18th as an import supplier to the Philippines. Philippine exports to India also rose from $193.35 million in 2008 to $200.3 million worth of goods in 2009/
With the new freight service from TNT Express, market analysts believe the full import and export potentials of both countries could soon be realized.
As of November 2010, total trade reached between the countries has already reached US$ 865.12 million, just $135 million short of the bilateral target of $1 billion in total trade for the two countries.