‘Back loads would help reduce freight rates’

Airlines and their customers will have to get used to the high fuel price because there seems to be no light at the end of this particular tunnel, says Tleli Makhetha, general manager of SAA Cargo. “The fuel price poses a serious challenge to our industry. We are, however, going to have to learn to live with it. There is no doubt that it is making operations more expensive with some 40% of our operational cost directly attributed to the price of the fuel.” Makhetha told FTW the types of rates being charged were directly related to the cost of fuel, not just in South Africa but the world at present. All indications are that the fuel price is here to stay and that it will be a challenge into the future. One of the ways we can address it though is by increasing our southbound loads. By returning with full loads we are decreasing the cost slightly.” He said finding ways of loading aircraft for routes both ways would see a drop in rates while it would also ultimately result in more rotations to various destinations.