Aireps pushes for weekly Far East freighter

MALAYSIA AIRLINES' decision to reopen its service between South Africa and Buenos Aires (South America) is a big boost for business, says Lee Pawson of Aireps, GSA for the airline.
"They stopped the service in February which was a blow," says Pawson. "Not only had we developed the service between this country and South American destinations, but there were also very efficient connections to North America.
"We had cargo flying through Buenos Aires to many points throughout the South American continent. There is a solid network of airline carriers we were able to link with, and exporters found it extremely useful.
"Now the service is back (as from May 1) with two flights a week from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The aircraft provides us with three flights a week to the Far East, which had continued throughout the period during which the South American flights were suspended."
Pawson is delighted that the Boeing 747 combis have now been replaced by the larger 747 pax aircraft, which mean an increase in freight capacity from around 10 tons per flight
to 20 tons.
"What we are now trying to get underway is an agreement with Malaysia to
bring in a weekly freighter between the Far East and South Africa from early June. That will allow us 60-70 tons of space every week on a service that has a growing demand for capacity.
"This is still in the negotiation stage but we are
hoping to be able to make an announcement shortly."
Aireps is also the South African GSA for Air Namibia, which offers 20 tons of space every Sunday from Cape Town to Frankfurt.