IAC slots into lucrative charter niche

Big demand for freighters into Africa
IMPERIAL AIR Cargo has set its sights on the lucrative charter market into Africa. And it’s a move that makes good business sense for the company, which launched its daily night return airfreight service that hubs in Johannesburg and services Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and George earlier this year. “Charters play an important role in identifying and developing African routes requiring dedicated airfreight links because they pinpoint regional service needs,” says Francois Wolmarans, managing director of IAC’s ground sales and service agent Express Air Services. IAC, which was established by Safair and Comair, is already making its freighter aircraft available during weekdays and weekends for charter hauls from Johannesburg into Africa. “We have identified the need for charter availability during the day when our aircraft are idle. We see it as an opportunity to begin to build on the dedicated services provided by IAC within South Africa to the advantage of the continent as a whole.” IAC announced its intention to extend services into Africa on a charter or regular basis when the service was launched in July, said Wolmarans. ”The anticipated growth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, will create demand for more regular scheduled freighter flights to move time-critical mechanical cargo such as machine components, perishable exports and in some cases even retail merchandise. “IAC has already received numerous charter enquiries and intends to become a major player in the market,” he said.