KARACHI, Dec 5: An alliance between Lufthansa Cargo AG and national carrier PIA went into practical demonstration with the departure of the first PIA cargo flight loaded with 40 tons of freight for Frankfurt here on Sunday morning.

Earlier, a ceremony was held at the Cargo Complex at Karachi Airport on Saturday night which was attended by General Manager Cargo Lufthansa for Middle East and Pakistan Warner J. Kletzka, General Manager Cargo PIA S. Tariq Bukhari, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Hansa Management and Marketing Sohail Yasin and other senior officials to mark the beginning of cargo flights under strategic alliance.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Warner described the start of Lufthansa-PIA cargo operation a new chapter in the history of two airlines. "I am happy that now we are in real cooperation with PIA Cargo," he told the cheering reception participants.

Mr Warner said, "We in the two airlines will also see for further progress in the future and that PIA and Lufthansa Cargo become the driver of the industry and both to promote export industry."

Talking to newsmen, PIA Cargo General Manager Tariq Bukhari said that PIA Cargo had registered a fast growth during the last few years. It registered a growth of 19 per cent during this year as compared to 14 per cent last year, he added.

He said that the revenue generated stood at Rs5.3 billion this year as against Rs4.2 billion last year while target for the next year had been fixed at Rs6 billion. "A day will come when we will be competing with the passenger revenue in PIA," Mr Bukhari said.

He said that the PIA would soon brought cargo export and import formalities under one roof through its upgradation plan, which would cost around Rs60 million. Mr Bukhari said that at present PIA was using three freighter air crafts and with growth in cargo traffic, it was likely to induce two more freighters next year with the addition of sixth one during the season.

Answering a question, he said, "While cargo traffic is anticipated to grow tremendously following strategic alliance with world-reputed Lufthansa Cargo, we are not ignoring the security aspects of the freight being exported." He said that most modern screen machines had been installed at the cargo complex to check the goods being sent abroad. -APP