Volumes on Airlink Cargo’s
strengthening African network
are on an upward trajectory, says
managing director Alwyn Rautenbach.
“Things are looking up in Zimbabwe
at the moment, with particularly good
volumes to Bulawayo and Harare.
“And with the mining industry in
Zambia and Zimbabwe also beginning
to reopen, mining spares into those
countries are showing a steady increase.”
The same is true of Beira in
Mozambique. “There’s so much
activity in the mining industry which
– along with the movement of textiles
and clothing as well as cell phone
accessories, all sorts of goods from
China and the courier industry – is
keeping the airline buoyant.”
Because of the significant growth in
courier business, Airlink has streamlined
operational procedures. “In May this
year we introduced an electronic waybill
for regular customers so they can
complete the waybill online. In addition,
cut-off procedures for early morning
flights before the aircraft departure are
extremely attractive.”
In a further upgrade the airline has
set up a new export warehouse at OR
Tambo International Airport. “We
introduced a screening process upstream
rather than downstream where it used
to be, and the entire operation has been
streamlined for faster handling.”
In a further move to improve
processes for the benefit of its
customers, the company’s electronic
data interchange system interfaces in
standard Iata-type freight messages with
its customers so that there is no need to
fill in two waybills.
“The system also offers a pre-alerting
facility so that the customer is aware of
what cargo to expect – cutting down on
human error.”
For the year ahead, Rautenbach
remains bullish, with more destinations
in Mozambique on the planning boards
for 2010.
This will complement its current
service network covering Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho,
Swaziland and Antananarivo.
Awakening economies keep airfreight buoyant
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