Buoyant air charter market reflects healthy growth

There has been a significant increase in demand for aircraft charters from the mining sector in recent months, according to Iain Clark, managing director of Chapman Freeborn Airchartering Africa. “This is especially true of West Africa, with a major increase in demand from Ghana, Congo, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea where a range of aircraft is deployed – from HS748s, and MD11s to B747s and IL76s.” Clark said Uganda was a key location for flying spares, exploration equipment and core samples, mostly using An26s, DC9s,747s and the L100-30. “For this reason we have an office in Entebbe, Uganda to service the region. The industry demands the quickest, safest route in and out of the various mining locations and being in the region provides an edge,” he told FTW. “Nothing is too large, too small or too difficult,” he said. “And what’s more there is growing potential for the mining and mineral sectors, with Africa’s significant resources of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) as well as gold and copper, not to mention the large biomass and bio-fuels potential (ethanol, biodiesel). Africa has an untapped hydro-electric potential as well. We have been rather active in the Mtwara region of Tanzania recently also moving equipment for the LNG sector.” Clark is upbeat about the future of the mining and minerals sector which remains one of the best-performing sectors, attracting investments and driving growth in key African countries. He therefore expects increased demand for aircraft charters. Clark said traditionally Africa had been a difficult market in which to operate, owing to the various regulations specific to each country, but he believes this is improving. “In our case we have overcome these challenges by employing recognised agents or representatives in each country. CAPTION Catering for outsize and time-sensitive cargo on a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year basis.