Cargo escapes impact of Eros flight ban

Freight aircraft not affected THE DECISION by the Namibian government to prevent South African-based airlines from landing at Eros Airport on the outskirts of Windhoek, and forcing them instead to fly into Hosea Kutako International Airport, 40km outside the capital, will have little effect on cargo operations. "Cargo owners need not worry," says Norbert Liebich, chairman of Namibian Freight Forwarders Association. "The aircraft affected are those belonging to SA Airlink and SA Express, which have little freight space available "The actual decision announced stated that aircraft with a combined weight of more than 5.6 tons were banned in future from landing at Eros for security and safety reasons. This is going to have an impact on passenger operations, with all incoming flights now having to go out to Hosea Kutako. But the smaller Comav aircraft, which carry the bulk of essential airfreight from Gauteng on daily schedules, will still land at Eros. "Even then, courier flights are here by 6am, which means that deliveries will be made in some cases before offices are opened for the day's business." Liebich said it was 'an over-reaction' in some media reports that the decision would result in more than 130 employees of companies handling ground cargo at Eros losing their jobs. "Comav and any other small carrier will not be affected, and that is where most of the cargo is handled at Eros," he says. "Remember, other carriers like BA/Comair have always used Hosea Kutako, so things won't change very much in cargo dealings. "Clearly it is a passenger matter which has been behind the decision. After all, the national carrier Air Namibia lost R500 million last year. So the authorities want to ensure that passenger services go to the international airport for flights, involving other countries aircraft. It won't disrupt cargo operations."