Airfreight growth tracks chain store expansion

Developing consumer markets in Nigeria and other West African countries have propelled growth in airfreight on the continent, attracting foreign airlines to compete with local carriers for the business. This is a trend that is set to continue in 2015 according to Ronel Rossouw, sales manager at SAA Cargo, which moves a variety of cargo, including perishables, mining equipment and general cargo to the region and across Africa. “We have experienced an upward trajectory in volumes into Africa especially in electronics, pharmaceuticals and other consumables,” she said. “Exports have experienced steady growth, largely in perishables into Europe." One of the reasons for the demand in perishables was that South African chain stores had expanded their footprints on the continent, she added. “We believe that there will be more (growth) in 2015.” The busiest routes are Kinshasa, Ghana, Cameroon and Angola with additional cargo routes to be added in 2015. More information will be released closer to the time, she said. The airline has already introduced additional freighter services to Kinshasa and three weekly freighter f lights to Windhoek. “The prospects for air cargo look promising as we ended the year on an upward trend in terms of volumes,” Rossouw said. However, challenges in the airfreight sector include a lack of adequate infrastructure and an influx of competing foreign airlines into Africa, which has eroded yields, she said. Security also remains an issue for the airfreight sector. “The biggest challenge we have is the re-screening of cargo from Africa into the EU countries to ensure they comply and that causes costs and resources to increase at transfer points,” she said. INSERT & CAPTION We have experienced an upward trajectory in volumes into Africa, especially in electronics, pharmaceuticals and other consumables. – Ronel Rossouw