Airfreight hopes alive for peak season upturn

‘It has been a tough time for airfreight recently, but British Airways World Cargo (BAWC) is confidently planning and preparing for a peak season ahead – expected to last from end-October through to March next year, according to Johannesburg-based area commercial manager for Southern Africa, Cayley Buyskes. The signs of the times are looking favourable, she told FTW. “We’ve definitely seen an increase over the past couple of weeks,” she said, “and indications from our agents are that there will be a peak season going forward.” BAWC’s initial focus is on an encouraging uplift in amount of available perishable exports. “But,” added Buyskes, “we also have high hopes of increasing general cargo over the next couple of months.” She did not venture to suggest that this expected overall growth in cargo volumes would be sustainable, but has no doubt that there will be a peak season.