Indian air cargo carrier Afcom has taken delivery of its third Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft, reinforcing its growth strategy and expanding its capacity to serve time-sensitive cargo across key domestic and regional trade lanes.
The newly converted freighter arrived at Chennai International Airport (MAA) on 30 December, further strengthening Afcom’s operational base in southern India. The addition marks another step in the carrier’s measured fleet expansion as it builds a scalable and reliable air cargo network.
Deepak Parasuraman, Chairman and Managing Director of Afcom Holdings, said the latest induction enhances the airline’s ability to meet growing customer demand. “The induction of our third aircraft strengthens our operating platform and enhances our ability to serve customers across expanding trade lanes,” he said. “We remain focused on disciplined growth while building a reliable and scalable cargo network.”
According to aircraft data provider Planespotters, Afcom received its first Boeing 737-800P2F in May 2024, followed by a second aircraft in August 2024. The growing fleet is expected to support rising demand for air cargo services, particularly in time-critical and specialised segments, as regional supply chains continue to evolve.
The additional freighter will support Afcom’s expanding route network, which includes domestic cargo services linking Chennai with Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi (DEL). Internationally, the airline operates services from Chennai to Colombo (CMB) and Malé (MLE), as well as a route connecting Chennai and Bangkok (BKK).
Further strengthening its regional footprint, Afcom introduced scheduled cargo flights from Bengaluru (BLR) to Malé (MLE) last year and is planning to launch a new Chennai–Singapore (SIN) service as part of its next phase of network expansion.
With its growing Boeing 737-800P2F fleet, Afcom is positioning itself to capture increased demand for short- and medium-haul air freight, offering enhanced frequency, reliability and flexibility across South Asia and neighbouring markets.
