Growth into Central and East Africa a big push

SAA Cargo has been busy growing its coverage on the continent with several new services set for launch in the short and medium-term. Looking at all the services currently on offer, GM Tleli Makhetha listed Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Luanda, Maputo, Kigali, Bujumbura and Lagos as the continental airports serviced by SAA Cargo. “But we anticipate growth into the Central and East African markets,” he told FTW. “These will be serviced through Cotonou, Pointe- Noire, Ndola and Bamako – which we are convinced will ensure seamless access to these markets.” Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, and Lusaka were the most lucrative routes amongst these, Makhetha added, and he saw future growth in the region being realised through network expansion and increased frequencies offered through SAA Cargo’s fleet of freighters. “This,” he said, “is over and above extensive cargo services already expanding on SAA passenger aircraft. Airfreight essentially mirrors trade activity on the continent and we expect the demand to continue growing.” Makhetha sees 2012 being the year of African expansion and growth for the airline’s cargo division. “We will focus all our energies on this growing market and have already introduced new destinations like Ndola, Zambia and Kigali, Rwanda. As already mentioned, further routes to follow by end of April 2012 will be Pointe-Noire, Cotonou and Brazzaville.” SAAC is also looking at extending and developing its mid-West African reach – with Libreville and Douala due to be in operation soon. “Apart from these new routes,” said Makhetha, “we have also added freighter capacity into the existing routes to Dar es Salaam and Entebbe. These flights are doing exceptionally well and could expand in 2012.” Looking at major hubs he noted that Johannesburg and Cape Town remained the key drivers of SAA’s cargo services. These are followed by Durban – which is also supported by road freight services due to the short distance between Durban and Johannesburg for connections into the rest of the region. There are, of course, major challenges in serving Africa. Makhetha highlighted inadequate investment in infrastructure to support aviation as being a key impediment to the success of African airlines. “Most of the countries in the region,” he added, “have sub-standard cargo handling and security screening equipment and processes. A further challenge is that there is insufficient training, and, therefore, a shortage of skills required to effectively manage in a modern aviation environment.” Partnership agreements also play a vital part in SAAC’s planning. “It remains a focus point to connect with partner airlines,” Makhetha said. “Aligning ourselves with strategic partners within Africa is imperative in our line of business. We also do so because we want to provide our customers with seamless connectivity.”