IBERIA AIRLINES is to resume flights to South Africa from May 19, and is eyeing the growing freight market between Spain and South Africa in offering a three-times-a-week service between Madrid and Johannesburg.
The aircraft to be used is the new A340 Airbus, which has adequate hold space for cargo, according to Iberia's Madrid-based international sales manager Juan Pedro Aridio.
During a recent trip to this country to arrange agencies and offices, Aridio made it clear that apart from the growing interest in passenger trade from Spain, he saw excellent opportunities for cargo services between the two countries.
Perishable goods, in particular fish, are flown throughout the year to Spain, either in transit or in chartered aircraft, while Spain has a growing export market to this country, a good deal of which he sees as likely to be captured by a direct airline.
Currently top of the Spanish exports to this country are motoring components, and while the bulk of these are made up of assembly kits for the Polo Classic, which is manufactured at Volkswagen's plant in Spain, and which are shipped to this country, items such as gearboxes and fittings for other motor vehicles are likely airline targets.
South Africa imported R1,1 billion of goods from Spain in 1996, with exports totalling R2 billion in the same year.
Iberia's flights are scheduled to leave Johannesburg for Madrid on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
By Leonard Neill
Iberia will be back soon
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