“TRADE AND industry rest on cargo and if air cargo is healthy your country is healthy, “says John Murray, newly appointed general manager international for Express Air Services (EAS). A man with a vision and 36 years experience in the transport field, Murray believes the real expansion is into Africa. “There are huge opportunities opening up and EAS is ideally poised to take charge of them given its many years of experience through its African operations in Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.” Murray has come a long way from his family’s farm in Malkerns, Swaziland and his schooling in Mbabane and Ermelo. He started his working life on SA Railways, joining SA Airways management in 1971. He spent 20 years with SAA in the UK, Cape Verde, Uganda, Hong Kong and Australia, speaking affectionately of his base in Hong Kong where he accounted for services to 17 countries. Murray is the former MD of cargo handling company Swissport. In his new position he will handle the full book of international freight services with responsibility to grow this division within the Express Air Services portfolio. Undaunted, he answers his phone with a quiet confidence. “We will handle it.”
