Airfreight sector records big growth in mining spares

An increase in over-border transportation of spares, cargo and supplies for the mining sector served the airfreight market well in 2012. And, with mining activities on the increase across Africa, it is a trend that is expected to continue, said Alwyn Rautenbach, CEO of Airlink Cargo. “We are very positive about the rapid development in the mining sector, especially in Mozambique and Zambia,” he told FTW. “More minerals are continually being found and exploration is taking place throughout Africa.” He said Airlink was taking advantage of this through its ability to operate to airports in many of the mining destinations. “We have express services with direct flights from Johannesburg to Ndola, Lusaka, Tete, Pemba, Beira, Nampula and Harare,” said Rautenbach. “Our biggest challenge remains that we have to limit the size of cargo we transport due to the fact that we operate smaller aircraft types into Africa.” Rautenbach said with mining activity picking up as more and more areas are being explored, it is important that the manufacturing and supply sector have their logistics in order to keep the supplies coming from Africa and not other continents. “We must ensure that our service offering to the mining sector is of the highest quality. Having daily flights into Africa to provide the dedicated service that the mining sector can depend on to deliver feasible outcomes is one way of achieving that.” INSERT ‘Positive about the rapid development in the mining sector, especially in Mozambique and Zambia.’ CAPTION Alwyn Rautenbach … daily flights into Africa.