January 20 will see the launch by Airlink Cargo of a double daily service between Johannesburg and Gaborone. Operating either an RJ 85 with 1.5-ton capacity and occasionally an ERJ135 aircraft with 500-600kg capacity, the service has already attracted strong interest, according to Airlink Cargo executive manager Alwyn Rautenbach. “The first flight leaves Johannesburg at 7:20 and the second at 17:30 and we believe it will be particularly valuable for transhipment cargo to and from international destinations and Gaborone.” The airline already flies to Maun and Kasane. The Gaborone service is the next in a raft of new services launched by Airlink in recent months, with Richards Bay, Bloemfontein and Kimberley coming on stream in mid- November this year. “We are the second flight out of Johannesburg to Kimberley and Bloemfontein, but the last flight out of the two cities which provides overnight transhipment opportunities in Johannesburg for onward connections. “These services add some very valuable destinations to our network.” And against a background of fairly static air cargo volumes, Airlink has bucked the trend recording average growth of 30% this year. “We’ve had a fantastic year,” said Rautenbach. “It’s all about providing a good service and marketing it well. A lot of shippers are not aware of the airfreight opportunities we offer to these smaller destinations.” According to Rautenbach Airlink is gaining some market share from road freight, particularly for time-sensitive cargo like automotive and machinery parts. “It’s a question of weighing up the cost against convenience of a same-day service.” INSERT & CAPTION We believe will be particularly valuable for transhipment cargo to and from international destinations and Gaborone. – Alwyn Rautenbach
