Less than a year since the inauguration of its export division, Aero Africa has experienced a surge in volumes – surpassing initial expectations.According to managing director Vernon Lines, the increase in export volumes is due to the expanding client base and the maintenance of reliable service levels. "We also strive to keep rates stable," he told Freight News. "Thanks to the growing volumes, we can negotiate preferential rates with airlines, which we pass on to our clients."He said with ongoing ocean freight port congestion, exporters were struggling and needed help to meet contractual obligations. "The ongoing delays with export vessels are causing significant repercussions, leading many exporters to opt for airfreight as a more reliable alternative. Moreover, the sustained favourable exchange rate is another boon for exporters. With airfreight able to facilitate quicker transportation of their products to overseas markets, it makes sense to use this mode of transport."Lines said export volumes from South Africa had remained steady, buoyed by the strength of the currency exchange rate. "Furthermore, the substantial reduction in cargo rates over recent years has had a profound impact on the landed price at the destination, further enhancing competitiveness in international markets," he told Freight News. "We are currently experiencing capacity shortages in some popular destinations, including the United States. These issues have also determined the upsold rates offered by the airlines, which f luctuate daily."Aero Africa, however, is circumventing these challenges by moving some of its cargo to Durban and Cape Town to utilise rates and capacity on offer, ensuring they can meet customer expectations."Since commencing our export operations in September last year, we've been fortunate to begin with a fresh start. We've had the privilege of hand-selecting employees with the necessary experience and dedication to drive our operations forward in all capacities. Meeting our internally set turnaround time targets remains paramount to our business, and we are proud to maintain these standards consistently," said Lines.
