Patel Roadways may acquire cargo aircraft

Logistics and road transportation company Patel Roadways (PRL) is exploring possibilities of acquiring a twin engine turboprop cargo aircraft.

It may acquire a Fokker aircraft, with 10 metric tonne to 15 metric tonne capacity, to operate garment ferrying services between Chennai and Sri Lanka. Fokker, one of the world's oldest aircraft manufacturers, first began manufacturing planes in Germany in 1912.

Patel Roadways Vice Chairman Arif Patel said the company is in the process of firming up the plans to acquire a frieghter but nothing has been finalised yet. "The idea is in premature stage. We will take an appropriate decision in three to four months," Patel said.

Meanwhile, the company has floated a new wing Patel Retail, offering end-to-end logistics solutions to retail segment.

The company expects Patel Retail to contribute incremental business of Rs 15 crore in the first year of its operations and further achieve a target of Rs 50 crore within three years.

Patel Retail will offer door pick-up, door delivery, godown delivery, godown pick-up, cash on delivery and delivery against consignee copy for shipments ranging between 50 kgs to 750 kgs.

"Patel Retail is offering 30 per cent reduction in prices compared with conventional and express transport. For a particular distance, while other express cargo services charge Rs 9 per kg, and conventional transport costs Rs 4 per kg, Patel Retail will charge only Rs 6 per kg," Patel said.

It will primarily concentrate on extending its services to auto ancillaries, engineering spares, electronic and electric items, FMCG, textiles, electrodes, paints and pharma industries among others.

The company aims to utilise the current fleet to meet Patel Retail's requirement and is also looking into adding more vehicles to the fleet in a few months.

Patel Retail will cover 115 branches serving over 400 delivery stations. Patel Retail will bridge the gap between conventional transport and express cargo. This service will be free for customers within 20 kilometres.