Blue Dart Widen Reach In The South

News Clip : The Economic Times,Mumbai.

03rd July, 2003.

Blue Dart Express, an integrated air express, courier and logistics company, plans to invest about $3m this year towards expansion in the south. It recently acquired an aircraft for $5m, expanding its fleet to four Boeing 737 freighter aircraft.

Tulsi N Mirchandaney, senior vice president (Marketing and Projects), said south India accounted for 30% of Blue Dart's topline and served as the hub for its aviation operations. Strengthening the aviation fleet would help in expanding operations to other south Asian countries later, she said. Blue Dart's revenue was Rs 315 crore in '02-03.

Gopa Kumar, VP(south) said the expansion plans included addition of 12 offices and 7 regional service partners. As of now, Blue Dart has 49 offices, 21 regional service partners and 55 franchisees in the south. It operates from 168 offices, 166 regional partners, 234 franchisees, 64 delivery associates and serves 13,600 locations in the country. Blue Dart is planning expansion in emerging business centres in the south, such as Vellore, Cuddalore, Nellore, Trichur, Rajamundri, Warangal, Devangiri, Bellary, Sivakasi, Tirunelveli and Kottayam.