Mozambican importers and exporters are taking to the air in order to speed up international cargo deliveries and save on other logistics costs, according to Ronel Rossouw, cargo manager southern Africa for the Angolan airline TAAG. It operates three flights a week between Maputo and Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport using wide-bodied Boeing 777 aircraft, and has an office in the cargo terminal. The Luanda flights arrive in time for the freight to be loaded onto other TAAG and international airline flights. Through TAAG shippers connect on the same night to South America, Cuba, Morocco, various European destinations, as well as the regional hubs of Windhoek, Cape Town and Johannesburg. “We have started moving pallets from Johannesburg via Luanda to Maputo because we are faster than road freight. Most recently we handled two tons out of Johannesburg. “Cargo loaded at 17:00 in Johannesburg will be in Maputo at 14:00 the next day,” she says. TAAG has its own modern handling equipment in Luanda to speed up the transhipments. “We have one of the best cargo systems. It is live with the customers so they can track their cargo all the way,” she says. In addition to speed, one of the advantages of the TAAG service is that the holds are temperature controlled, and Luanda has invested in fridge facilities in the hub. Cargo out of Mozambique includes mainly live seafood and pets. It is a preferred airline for sensitive and perishable cargo because “we are 100% on time all the time”. The service is also used for reverse logistics where equipment is sent out for repair. There is strong demand for personal effects. People moving in or out of the country are able to fly with their belongings. Imports range from pharmaceuticals to spares and high-value cargo like cellphones and electronic equipment. The aircraft can accommodate up to 12 pallet-sized loads, and can lift up to 30 tons of freight.
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