Airlink plans more aircraft conversions

Airfreight may be more expensive than other modes of transport, but when it comes to getting goods to remote destinations quickly it clearly has the leading edge. According to Alwyn Rautenbach, CEO of Airlink Cargo, a division of SA Airlink, one of the biggest challenges facing airfreight is the cost factor. “Airfreight charges raised by authorities – such as CAA charges on landing fees and aircraft parking fees; ATNS charges; en route and navigation charges; and other charges like jet fuel – are rising higher than inflation, putting a big cost burden on airfreight,” he said. “At the same time, however, we have freight services into several southern African countries that open up the market for direct courier material where needed. And since other modes of transport do not offer the same opportunities as airfreight, this gives airfreight the edge.” Airlink Cargo in 2011 converted a J41 passenger aircraft into a freighter aircraft specifically aimed at the courier/express market. “We aim to convert more of these freighters to service the needs of the courier and express cargo companies,” said Rautenbach. “The aircraft are currently operating on a non-scheduled basis, but the aim is to operate scheduled services at an ideal time to cater for the courier industry.” Airlink Cargo covers South Africa as well as Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Madagascar and in the near future Botswana. According to Rautenbach, while more and more cargo is moving to road transport on the shorter routes, they are seeing their volumes grow on international routes. “In South Africa the express trend seems to go more to overnight trucking, due to road infrastructure that has improved so much on the main routes, although airfreight is still a niche market and it has the time, quality and service factors counting in its favour,” he said.