Cargo moves into strong focus for Acsa

Runway extension plans under evaluation ED RICHARDSON THERE IS a fresh focus on air cargo by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) at Port Elizabeth airport, according to airport manager Lucas Letsholonyane. Currently, airfreight out of the city is 60% under-utilised in terms of aircraft capacity. “We are trying to understand the challenges facing business when it comes to using air transport.” PEA (Port Elizabeth Airport) intends engaging in an analysis of dynamics affecting the logistics value chain to see why companies are not making full use of the freight capacity, he says. Despite the surplus freight capacity on commercial cargo flights, Safair has introduced approximately ten weekly Boeing 727 freighter flights in and out of Port Elizabeth Airport. “We are confident that we will get more flights if there is a demand,” he adds. Acsa also has land available to build more warehouses in the industrial zone when there is demand. According to Letsholonyane, the current warehousing and office space is fully let. The airport is also experiencing steady growth in passenger traffic. Passenger numbers have grown from under 1.1m per annum in the 2004/2005 financial year to over 1.3-million in the 2005/2006 year. Acsa is continuing to evaluate the need to extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft. “They, in turn, will respond to the needs of local industry and the city’s economic growth and development initiatives,” he says.