GSA Africa explores alignments

WHEN GSAFRICA launched in the local market, managing director Anne Sanders was determined to create a GSA with a difference. Her focus, she told FTW, would be particularly on the Southern, East and West African markets, offering the airlines it represents the benefits of African reach. Its stable includes Thai Airways and Delta Air Lines which flies Johannesburg – Accra – Atlanta and Dakar – New York. “Our Dakar office has been up and running for almost two months and we’re currently moving a lot of perishables on the route. It’s a market that has opened up for Delta because of its onward transhipment connections by air rather than trucking which is its competitors’ mode of choice,” says Sanders. “We’re doing a lot of flowers and pineapples to Los Angeles and have even been approached to move cargo to South America via our Atlanta hub.” The objective is to align with carriers in the African market, says Sanders. “We are currently analysing various routes that have been earmarked before we sign any agreements. “Once we’ve completed our feasibility studies, we’ll take the next step.” With its offices in Nairobi and Dakar now fully operational, Sanders has not ruled out the possibility of further extending its African network. “We’re looking at branches in Lusaka, Harare and possibly Windhoek.”