In an exciting development, CFR Freight is developing the airfreight side of its business, with Durban noted as a primary opportunity in this expansion plan, according to CFR general manager - airfreight, Dave Graham. “Durban is one of our fastestgrowing export origins,” he told FTW, “and we are concentrating much of our effort in developing that market.” Part of that focus has been the appointment of Chilton Corrigall as Durban airfreight manager. “We have also sub-leased premises at the new King Shaka International Airport (KSIA),” Graham said, “and we will be relocating from our present base at Westville to KSIA, as soon as the facilities open in August.” Graham noted that Emirates currently offered the only scheduled longhaul service at the new airport. “But,” he added, “we expect others to join in. We have a good relationship with the Indian carrier, Jet Airways, and we expect that they will be looking at Durban as a possible future destination – where there is a big Indian population as potential passengers.” Although Graham doesn’t see KSIA replacing OR Tambo International Airport (Ortia) in Johannesburg as SA’s primary air cargo hub, he notes that there are quite a lot of air cargo exports originating from Durban and that the handling facilities at KSIA are very much more state-of-the-art. “We’re presently routing cargo to Johannesburg for consolidation and in order to leverage off higher weight breaks,” Graham said. “We have entered into an agreement with a trucking company to move this cargo and will be sharing facilities with this haulier. Through this relationship, we will enjoy preferential rates and are ensured of complete control of our cargo.” Ortia is also completely congested, Graham added, with the foreign airline cargo terminal utterly jammed up. “Durban is the third largest air cargo source in the country –after Johannesburg and Cape Town – and it’s a fast growing market, with a brand new local cargo hub.” CFR Freight has also recently appointed Karen Schoeman as its Cape Town airfreight manager. “This,” Graham said, “completes our airfreight management team.”
