Ground handlers get into rhythm

NOW THREE months under way, the hand-over of ramp handling duties at OR Tambo International Airport to BidAir and Menzies is running smoothly, according to Alwyn Rautenbach, MD of Airlink Cargo and chairman of the Air Cargo Operators’ Committee. Not that it was an easy start, with the two new licence holders short of premises, equipment and experience at running the job. “Everything happened in a ‘big bang’ approach,” said Bob Gurr of BidAir. “Some of the old Equity Aviation (which previously ran Ortia’s ramp-handling) clients only committed in the last week of February, which put some strain on our planning and equipment.” But contingency plans were put into place, and the following weeks saw the arrival of the much-needed new equipment – especially the wide body equipment needed for the bigger aircraft handling. “We haven’t heard of any major problems recently,” Rautenbach told FTW. “The two companies have received most of their equipment, and everything’s now properly organised.” The interesting problem that remains is what will happen when the third ramphandling licence is awarded in June to the company which will be expected to kick off next February. The present two contenders have now signed up almost all of the airlines on one year contracts and longer, and that leaves little business for the new operator.