Sovika, the Mumbai headquartered airport-to-airport logistics specialist, will begin the domestic freighter operation from February 16. Last year, the company had announced the launch of its dedicated domestic freighter service. Sovika had then leased a 737-400F from QuikJet, the ASL-owned, Bangalore-based carrier, which has already secured its Scheduled Air Operators Permit from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The aircraft, with a 19-tonne payload, will operate in the domestic network between Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The aircraft features a new livery featuring both Sovika and QuikJet Airlines. It will be based in Delhi. QuickJet (QO) Cargo’s inaugural flight to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB) arrived on 16th February. The airline has operations to KIAB 6 times a week. Formal celebrations took place in front of the aircraft involving QuickJet’s crew and members of the Cargo team from the Bangalore International Airport Limited. The terminal operator for QO at KIAB is Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore (MABB) and Globe Ground India which is the airline’s ground handling partner. According to an official at Sovika, the company will test the service until February 29 and starting March 1, it will optimize and rationalize the network operations. The official also added that the freighter service will ride on the rapid growth in the eCommerce sector and the air express sector. The service will operate at night perfectly serving the need of the eCommerce logistics sector which demands next-day delivery. Sovika is also looking at the international bonded cargo destined for other metro cities of India. Given that it is a general sales agent (GSA) for domestic carriers like Vistara and Air Costa, Sovika is well placed to leverage its strengths to connect cargo at other locations. Sovika has offices in every major city in India and at strategic business locations globally. Over the years it has gained substantial experience in every aspect of aviation: be it aircraft leasing, charters, ground handling, cargo handling, warehousing and terminal management. Currently Sovika’s operations span 31 airports across India.