Competitive rates on high-density routes grow airfreight business

While the airfreight industry globally faces an uncertain future, the airfreight division of independent consolidator CFR Freight is reaping the rewards of a well-timed initiative designed to offer its customers contracted space on high-density routes at competitive rates. “Gauteng has always been our biggest airfreight operation,” general manager – airfreight Dave Graham told FTW. “We are conveniently located at the airports in both Durban and Cape Town, but OR Tambo is our core operation – it’s pivotal because the majority of imports are hubbed into Johannesburg and moved either in bond or as domestic cargo to our coastal branches.” In September last year CFR secured contracted space on flights from China, Hong Kong and Amsterdam, offering guaranteed capacity. And because the company earns its revenue from mixing cargo, it was also able to offer very competitive rates. “The service was a huge success,” said Graham, “and we’ve since added India and the US – with Germany and possibly the UK to follow early next year. “It’s a predictable and reliable product at a competitive rate.” And this despite the challenges of OR Tambo. “The cargo facility is old, space is an issue and there are always queues at the foreign airlines’ terminal to recover and lodge cargo – which makes cutoffs a challenge.” And while there’s been plenty of talk about upgrading and expanding, Acsa remains a passenger-focused organisation. “It’s unfortunate because Gauteng is not only the hub for South Africa but for the entire southern African region,” said Graham.