CT service offers significant benefits to express oerators

Despite global economic instability, express volumes have charted a stable course – even showing signs of an increase, according to Alwyn Rautenbach, executive manager of Airlink Cargo. “The express industry has not changed all that much in recent times, but the possibility of increasing demand and growing volume is very real,” says Rautenbach. He believes that many express and courier companies don’t realise the value of the Airlink Cargo service out of Cape Town. “At Airlink Cargo we sell mainly express freight, utilising the holds of passenger aircraft – and in terms of our Cape Town service there is definitely potential to grow volume,” he said. Better integration and interfaces between systems of express companies, consolidators, airlines and customs authorities could add significant value to the express logistics chain, in his view. The airline has recently added a number of new routes to its network, with opportunity for express cargo. This includes Botswana and Mozambique. Said Rautenbach: “These are flights to Maun, Kasane, Tete, Nampula and an increase in the number of flights to Pemba, now five times a week. We also have direct routings between any of the cities in our network, but can go beyond this through our pro-rate agreements with other carriers.” CAPTION Alwyn Rautenbach … new express options on Botswana and Mozambique routes.