Jet Airways set to capitalise on SA-India trade growth

South Africa’s ever-growing
economic trade relations
with India are set to be
boosted even further with the
decision by Mumbai-based
airline, Jet Airways, to fly
directly to Johannesburg
daily.
According to Arindam
Banerji, senior general
manager: cargo for Jet
Airways, the decision to
expand to South Africa,
while being part and parcel
of the airline’s expansion
plans, is also aimed at taking
advantage of the growing
trade relationship between
the two countries.
“South Africa and India
historically have a very
long-standing relationship
and both governments are
committed to increasing
economic trade. There
is much opportunity and
potential for us as an airline
to fly to Johannesburg and
to benefit from the growing
trade,” he said at the launch
of the airline’s new service
in Johannesburg last week.
“We believe there is also
opportunity to see more
cargo moved between South
Africa and India. This offers
South Africa a direct market
into India.”
It’s the first Indian carrier
in decades to offer a direct
service between Mumbai
and Johannesburg, with the
first flight scheduled for
April 14. “We are primarily
a passenger airline, but cargo
is important to us. Our aim is
to see at least 20% of revenue
being generated from cargo,”
said Banerji. “At the moment
we expect to see more cargo
coming into Johannesburg
from India, but we believe
this is something that will
change as more and more
people realise the benefit
of being able to fly cargo
directly to India and as more
trade deals are signed.”
Operating an Airbus 330
daily between Johannesburg
and Mumbai, the airline has
capacity for some 12 tons of
cargo. “We are set up for
any cargo from general to
dangerous goods and can
carry it literally to anywhere
in India.”
Flying to 50 domestic
Indian destinations and 23
international cities routes
include Toronto in Canada,
New York in the US,
Brussels and London.
According to Anne
Sanders of GS Africa, which
has been appointed as the
sales agents for Jet Airways
in South Africa, the entry
of a new player is good
for the market. “For us as
a GSA it gives as another
diverse market to sell in
South Africa. We also intend
feeding the Johannesburg
flight to Mumbai from the
neighbouring states.”
Rogers Aviation, which
represents Jet Airways
in South Africa, also
welcomed the decision of the
airline to expand to South
Africa saying it certainly
ensured more versatility in
the market.