Alack of foreign exchange is seeing Zimbabwean importers using cross-border “runners” to complement airfreight, according to Tshepo Tladi, sales and marketing manager at Airlink Cargo.While there had been a slowdown in general freight travelling by air due to a shortage of foreign exchange, Airlink was seeing continued demand for courier cargo, he told F T W.Exporters to Zimbabwe are demanding payment into bank accounts outside the country, while the government has clamped down on the movement of foreign currency, and United States dollars in particular, out of the country. “The other challenge we are facing is that the local people do not have the funds to airfreight their goods“They are opting to use runners, who are people planning to go to South Africa.“While in the country they purchase the goods and then take them back into Zimbabwe – often at a lower cost than air or road freight, as a “nominal fee” is paid to the person bringing the good s ba ck ”.Other airfreight operators ser ving the Zimbabwean market were experiencing the same trend, he said.“The general cargo market has shrunk, as only those with deep pockets and access to external funds can afford to move cargo in by air,” he said.
INSERT: Airlink is seeing continued demand for courier cargo.– Tshepo Tladi