Blue Dart expands to SAARC countries

Kolkata, July 23

Blue Dart, a major domestic logistics service provider, proposes to expand its operations by launching services to neighbouring countries.

A beginning has already been made with the launch of ground express services to Dhaka from here and the plans are on the anvil to start air express service with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and ground express service with Pakistan.

“With a population of 1.47 billion and SAFTA due to roll out, the SAARC countries hold out the promise of a major market which we would like to exploit more fully,” said Mr Anil Khanna, Managing Director of Blue Dart Express Ltd, here on Wednesday. “The proposed international services will be in partnerships with our parent company, DHL,” Mr Khanna said.

Acquiring Cargo carrier

In 2008, Blue Dart will invest Rs 200 crore to add to its facilities. “This is part of the Rs 1,000-crore investment we propose to make in the next few years,” he said pointing out that there was a proposal to acquire a cargo carrier, most probably a Boeing 757, and acquire on lease additional space for warehousing purpose to have one million sq ft of space. “Right now, we have six aircraft – three each of Boeing 757s and 737s – and warehousing space of 1.5 lakh sq ft,” he said.

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