Blue Dart introduces first Boeing 757s in India
- Inducts two B757-200 freighters into fleet
- 21 routes added to the existing 39
- Increases capacity to 250 tonnes per night

Mumbai : May 30, 2006

Blue Dart, India's largest air express, courier and package distribution company, today announced the induction of two Boeing 757-200 freighters into its air express fleet. The aircraft were acquired on lease by Blue Dart Aviation which has an agreement with Blue Dart Express Ltd. to utilise its aircraft for dedicated domestic air services.

The addition of the 757s will augment Blue Dart's freighter fleet of five aircraft, and will increase capacity from 166 to 250 tonnes per night to service growing demand. Blue Dart's charter capabilities within the country will also be fortified. The route network will be extended to 60 with the addition of 21 route connections to the existing 39. To further strengthen the air infrastructure, an aviation hub will be launched at Ahmedabad, and the Hyderabad outbound gateway will be connected.

The Boeing 757-200 freighter is a derivative of the twin-engine passenger jetliner. The 757 freighter has a two-person flight deck and is designed to accept upto 15 pallets with a payload of 28 tonnes on its main deck, and additional freight in its lower holds. The major features include a large side cargo door in the forward fuselage, a single crew entry door just ahead of it, and a windowless freighter interior with 6,600 cubic feet of cargo space on the main deck. It offers great benefits by reducing airport congestion and a versatility to fly both long and short range routes.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Malcolm Monteiro, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express Ltd., said, "We've introduced the 757s at a time when the Indian economy is aiming at GDP growths of 10%. India, however, relies heavily on domestic consumption which projects a growing distribution requirement. Blue Dart is the country's first and to date only company with a dedicated surface and air infrastructure for domestic express. The 757s with their enormous versatility will augment the distribution process essential in this boom, and further strengthen our domestic air express capability which is unmatched in the country. We would service the five metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore and the sub metro cities of Hyderabad and Ahmedabad which account for 90% of total air cargo distribution. The Gujarat markets will be greatly benefited with faster deliveries as a result of our new routes, and the Hyderabad outbound gateway will be connected to the rest of India to service our customers more efficiently."

Mr. Niteen Gupte, Managing Director, Blue Dart Aviation Ltd. said, "We are the only airline offering dedicated domestic air express services and operate at an average load factors of 88%. Our current fleet has five Boeing 737-200 and two Boeing 757-200 freighters, with seven aviation hubs at all the major metros. With these aircraft, our network capacity increases by 50%

"Our unique integrated infrastructure enables a complete range of distribution services from air express - both domestic and international, airfreight, ground and charters. With the induction of the B757s, critical project distribution will be greatly enhanced with the availability of higher aircraft volumes and payload, as well as charter options", said Ms. Tulsi Mirchandaney, Senior Vice President - Marketing and Projects, Blue Dart Express Ltd.

About Blue Dart:

Blue Dart Express Ltd. launched Blue Dart Aviation in 1996. Blue Dart Aviation has an ACMI agreement with Blue Dart Express Ltd. for dedicated domestic air express services.

Blue Dart, South Asia's premier courier and integrated air express package Distribution Company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 14,000 locations in India and 220 countries worldwide. Blue Dart was selected a Consumer Superbrand from over 1699 brands across 169 product categories and received the Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand Gold Award from amongst 42 product categories in India. The Blue Dart team drives marketplace leadership through its motivated people force, dedicated air capacity, cutting-edge technology, innovation and value-added services, to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers.

For further information contact :

marketing@bluedart.com
Dated : May 30, 2006