IAG Cargo has announced that businesses operating between London and the Indian city of Chennai are to benefit from the introduction of the Boeing 787 to the route. One of the most advanced aircrafts in the world, the B787 will commence flights on IAG Cargo’s service between Heathrow and Chennai on 26 October, at the start of the winter schedule. The new aircraft, which will operate daily each way, replaces the B777-200 currently serving the route.

With its advanced temperature control capability, which includes air conditioning in the hold, the B787 is perfectly suited to the shipment of pharmaceutical products and will play an important role in supporting the fast-growing Indian pharma market. The new aircraft will also benefit other industries operating on the London-Chennai trade route. Key flows on this route include shipments of laboratory equipment and machinery inbound to Chennai and large volumes of garments outbound.

John Cheetham, regional commercial manager for APAC at IAG Cargo, commented: “India is fast becoming one of our most important markets, particularly when it comes to the pharma industry. Our specialist product for this sector, Constant Climate, leads the industry and the introduction of the B787 will further enhance IAG Cargo’s capabilities by allowing us to precisely control the temperature at which unstable medications and compounds are transported. Of course, the introduction of the B787 is good news for all businesses operating on the Chennai route and demonstrates to our customers how committed we are to this market.”