... and it's not only
confined to Africa
AIR MAURITIUS Cargo has achieved a world record for an A340-300. It recently loaded 36,5 tons for a flight from Mauritius to Harare, Zimbabwe.
"It's all part of the mammoth transit operation we are handling as an Indian Ocean hub," says Ian Mayne, the airline's business unit manager. Transit success is not confined to Africa, he said, and Australian goods destined for the UK and Europe are now passing through the island on a regular basis.
But 63% of the cargo the airline uplifts out of Asia is bound for African destinations. South Africa is the main destination, with three flights a week into Johannesburg, two of which also serve Durban. A weekly frequency is offered to Cape Town as well.
South African exports of fresh produce, machinery, factory breakdown spares, print material and assorted general cargo head through Mauritius to India, Seychelles, Reunion and Madagascar on Air Mauritius routings, which also include Nairobi and Maputo.
Mayne is upbeat about the improvement in the lengthy service offered between the UK and Australia. "To route such cargo via Mauritius is a sensible option as the island is almost exactly astride the great circle route from London to Perth and is also a highly competitive route to Melbourne," he says.
Aircraft to aircraft times are never a problem for cargo transiting Mauritius, with two hours the standard. The entire logistics chain is linked to the in-house sabre computer system enabling shipments to be monitored throughout their journey.
