Flywell finds a lucrative market in the DRC

TO MOST business people, Laurent Kabila's Congo is a place to stay as far away from as possible. But for Zimbabwe cargo airline Flywell, it represents a great opportunity.
The airline has begun regular charter flights each Wednesday, leaving Harare at 8:00, arriving Lubumbashi 09:30, departing 11:30 and arriving at Kinshasa at 14:00.
Rates to Lubumbashi are U.S$0.95c a kilogram for the first 5000kg and 85c thereafter. To Kinshasa the respective rates are U.S.$1.20 and 1.10.They include 5% commission to registered freight forwarders.
Royalty fees are payable in the Congo and cannot be prepaid.
A leased aircraft is being used, carrying 45 tonnes of main deck cargo.
Swashbuckling airlines hoping to make a killing should realise that handling fees at Kinshasa are U.S.$5000 and landing fees are U.S.$2000. Fuel is U.S.$1,70 per U.S.(not imperial) gallon.
BY MARTIN RUSHMERE