German freighter considers third Jo’burg frequency

Despite global economic woes, Air Cargo Germany is looking at implementing a third frequency to Johannesburg in the New Year. Gerd von Mansberg of The Cargo Connection, Air Cargo Germany’s South African GSA, believes that despite indications of a tough year ahead, the privately owned cargo carrier can and will benefit from a third frequency. Air Cargo Germany currently operates four 747- 400 freighters to South Africa and Asia from its base in Hahn in Germany. “They operate twice weekly to Johannesburg and want to increase this to three times a week.” Von Mansberg, who has been the GSA for the airline for a year now, says this is due to the success of the contract so far, with consistent volumes moving on the route. “Freighters need a minimum of 80% load factor both ways to make it feasible and this has been achieved thus far,” he said. A big reason for the success of the service has been its routing which is from Hahn to Johannesburg to Nairobi return, he said. “There are also trucking services on offer from Hahn to most European cities.” Southbound capacity is mostly sold on a block space agreement basis while the northbound leg comprises some block sales and some free space out of Johannesburg to Nairobi, with block sales out of Nairobi to Hahn, which is mostly perishables.