Strong alliance partners offer significant benefits in terms of local and global reach. Two of the industry’s players offer their perspectives.
Middle East alliance offers major competitive benefits
AN ALLIANCE with an airline hubbing out of the Middle East offers major competitive benefits in the airfreight management and handling service sector, says John Murray, general manager: international of Express Air Services (EAS). “Our total cargo sales and handling service relationship with Qatar Airways has positively impacted on export services out of Southern Africa,” he told FTW. “Qatar Airways operates an expanding international network with a modern fleet of aircraft from its hub of Doha in Qatar. Our international reach as its strategic partner has allowed our clients greater access to global markets.” EAS provides GSSA and cargo handling services for a number of South African and regional African airlines, allowing seamless connectivity within the region and globally, says Murray. “It is able to facilitate freight movement to and from most Southern African countries.” Murray believes that Qatar’s ambitious plans for the development of tourism and freight will elevate it to the status of a major international carrier. “We want to be there to link our sub-Saharan network to that platform. It is vital to the economy of the region,” says Murray. EAS has established an intensive network within sub-Saharan Africa on its daytime operations over the past decade. Now it has added the freighter and air charter services of Imperial Air Cargo (IAC) to this range of service offerings. It handles more than 100 flights a day for its regional clients importing and exporting to and from worldwide destinations through Johannesburg. Within South Africa, EAS branches handle general, perishable and express cargo between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George and East London. It also has dedicated branches in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
SAA signs codeshare deals with Egypt, Rwanda
AS PART of its “Africa strategy” South African Airways (SAA) has increased its foothold in the continent by signing codeshare agreements with Egypt Air and Rwandair Express, effective since October 29. In the deal with the Egyptian carrier, SAA customers now have four flights a week between Johannesburg and Cairo. Its more than 20 years since the national carrier last had a presence in the North African market. The tie-up with Rwandair Express, meantime, saw SAA withdrawing from Kigali after operating on the route for more than six years – but the service will be maintained through the new codeshare. Flights to and from Cairo will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, while services to and from Kigali will operate on Fridays and Sundays with the possibility of an additional future frequency. “We believe these new partnerships will benefit cargo customers and both business and leisure travellers between SA, Egypt and Rwanda – allowing for greater trade development and tourism opportunities,” said Nomfanelo Magwentshu, SAA GM for business development.
