Inter-airport trucking takes off in a big way

PE - Gauteng service on the cards DEMAND FOR trucking services from Durban and Cape Town airports to Johannesburg has been such a success that Airline Cargo Resources (ACR) is planning to increase the number of frequencies to and from both coastal cities and also to introduce a service to Port Elizabeth from Gauteng. "The increase in demand has been incredible," says ACR director Bryn Woolley. "We are looking at increasing the Durban service from the present five working days each week to a full seven days a week service. Cape Town is now served three times a week but this will probably go up to something between five and seven days. The perishable season is certain to make its demands in that sector. "In addition to this, we are now doing an ad hoc service every Sunday from Cape Town to Johannesburg for British Airways World Cargo, Port Elizabeth is in our planning roster and should come into operation by the end of the year, and Upington is being served as necessary." ACR now serves British Airways, Qantas, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Hydro Air and all Aviation GSA linked airlines on a regular basis. Martinair and Cargolux use its operations when outsize loads have to be transported and South African Airways uses it on an ad hoc basis. The service has grown to such an extent that ACR's existing warehouse at the Cargo Village in Pomona is being extended and will provide 2 400sq/m space when completed. Cold Storage facilities are also being considered. With the local agency for Envirotainer under ACR's wing, Woolley sees this as an essential future need. "We are now looking at streamlining our IT systems in order to interface with the various airlines," he says. "This is quite an undertaking, as many are on different systems and we are looking at a compatible solution. When that is in place it will mean an international point-to-point transportation system can be operated successfully. You'll be able to load cargo in Los Angeles, for instance, fly it through London to Johannesburg, and then have it trucked to any of our port destinations at the press of a button."