African International finds niche as feeder airline

ALAN PEAT
THE SUCCESS of African International Airways (AIA) in its first year of operation after it was awarded its SA air service authorisation has proved the need for a reliable, low-cost, dedicated air cargo carrier based in this country, according to director Pat Corbin.
“The presence in the market place of our fleet of four DC8 cargo aircraft - which can carry up to 44-tons of palletised cargo and/or livestock - shows we are meeting the increasing demand in the movement of international trade in the region,” he told FTW.
“The airfreight fraternity, traders, and entrepreneurs are identifying African International’s flexibility as a vital contribution to the availability of economical air cargo lift capabilities.”
Over the past 18-months the airline’s operations have provided Air Mauritius with the cargo capacity for all scheduled cargo services throughout their regional network and to Singapore. This contract has recently been renewed for a further extended period.
Other recent operations by its Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) based DC8s include relief aid for UNICEF from Johannesburg to Antananarivo, sub-services for Air Gabon to Libreville, race and breeding horses from Cape Town to Dubai and numerous other miscellaneous operations.
“Major scheduled airlines are also recognising the advantages of using JIA as a ‘hub’ to generate more long haul shipments to other African destinations,” Corbin said, “as they can be more economically served by using African International as a feeder airline.”
AIA also has a fleet of European-based DC8 aircraft carrying everything from UN relief aid and UK military equipment to Iraq, to textiles, currency and, on a lighter note, the musical instruments for Indianapolis symphony orchestra’s world tour.