EAS plans more freighters to cater for growing perishable loads

CLIVE EMDON EXPRESS AIR Services has made significant strides in its bid for a bigger share of the perishable market, moving flowers to Amsterdam, London and Frankfurt, fish to Oostende and fruit and veg to Europe and the Middle East. It’s a grand story of growing exports from South Africa via Zimbabwe and Zambia with different freight hubs for different regions, says EAS general manager international, John Murray. “Our big thrust for perishables involves plans to introduce freighter services at this time of the year from Johannesburg into Harare, Lusaka and Mauritius for patty pans and flowers. “We currently have four flights a week to the Middle East operated by Qatar airlines and are planning another two.” Facilities for perishables at Harare are first class, says Murray, describing as ‘incredible’ the enormous fridges capable of taking in excess of 300 tons when the market kicks off again. EAS fridges in Johannesburg have capacity for 60-80 tons of palletised perishables in unit load devices (ULDs). These are transferred to chilled holds in aircraft and offloaded to fridges in Europe. Murray says the primary destinations for fish in season are Europe, and the Far East, particularly Singapore and Japan, where there is a big demand for lobsters. “Lobster season continues 11 months of the year with the “lull” in mid October to mid November, although the past year has seen a decline in volumes out of Cape Town due to the review of the quota process. “At present EAS handles in excess of 100t of live lobster per month out of Cape Town either on direct flights or via Johannesburg.” Of the wide range of perishables originating in Cape Town - flowers, stone fruit and a vast variety of fresh fruit and vegetables destined for European markets - EAS handles in the region of 80 -100t a month, he said.