Handling contract gives cold store plans wings

Plans to build an additional cold storage facility at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport have taken off. The warehouse is being built by NAC 2000, which now handles cargo in Lusaka for Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and South African Airways. Kenya Airways operates a weekly and South African Airways a thriceweekly B737F cargo flight that has good load factors “both incoming and outgoing” ‘says the company’s managing director Jonathan Lewis. Significant increases in the volumes handled by NAC2000 recently are attributed to the SAA 737 freighters carrying around 14 tons of cargo in, and 18 tons of mainly perishable export cargo. That is in addition to the cargo capacity on the up to thrice daily SAA passenger flights into the airport, he says. With exports of flowers, perishable produce and fish growing, NAC2000 has started work on a 1 000 sqm cold storage facility, which is due to be operational by the end of August 2013. It will be a modern multitemperature facility “built to aviation standards,” which is designed to meet phytosanitary legislation both in Zambia and export markets. “This will provide further impetus for the export of perishable cargo from Zambia, and is proof of NAC2000’s commitment to the industry. “We consulted with the farmers when designing the facility to ensure that it meets their needs,” he says. Lewis is confident that the demand for airfreight will continue to increase as it is an essential component in the government’s plans to strengthen Lusaka’s position as an inland logistics hub for the region. There will always be a need to transport freight by air,” he says. Airfreight is also being driven by additional capacity as new markets open up to perishables exporters. Airlines which have increased frequencies into both Lusaka and Ndola include Ethiopian Airlines, SAA, Kenya Airways and KLM. Kenya Airways is now flying direct into Ndola where NAC2000 also has facilities. “This service is significant because it means that importers and exporters in Ndola now have a northbound service and do not have to go through OR Tambo or Lusaka. This could definitely open up new opportunities for exporters and importers.” Another possible game changer will be the upgrading of Livingstone airport to take wide-bodied aircraft day and night. The tourism industry is expected to be the first to take advantage of direct flights out of Europe, but freight is sure to follow, he believes. INSERT & CAPTION Work has started on a 1 000-sqm cold storage facility, which is due to be operational by the end of August 2013. – Jonathan Lewis