Air Malawi set to launch courier product

Increasing support and developing niche products are part and parcel of Aero-Link Consulting’s plans for Air Malawi. Appointed as the General Sales and Service Agents for the carrier in December last year, much work has already been done to see a dramatic increase in the volumes, says Mario Turketti, Aero-Link Consulting business executive. “On taking over the contract in December it was clear there had been a definite drop in volumes, which was not too surprising taking the market conditions of 2009 into consideration,” says Turketti. “We immediately set ourselves the challenge of increasing this and are proud to say we are seeing a slight increase already.” With Air Malawi operating a Boeing 737 daily between Johannesburg and Malawi serving both Blantyre and Lilongwe, Aero-Link says it is more than up for the challenge. “We have been monitoring passenger figures daily in an effort to maximise the cargo capacity of the aircraft,” says Turketti. “Having a much more hands-on approach than what Air Malawi experienced before, we want to see the carrier increase its volumes to pre-recession levels. We also have some exciting plans for the carrier in the coming months.” Set to be launched on March 1, Air Malawi will offer a courier product to the market. “It is one area that has been identified as lacking and implementing a niche product for the courier industry is an important step for the carrier.” Turketti says they hope to generate more volume for the airline with the new product. “We are also working closely with our customers to change the perception that there is not enough space on the aircraft for cargo.