Mining sector growth bolsters volumes

Africa’s growing economies offered significant opportunity to increase airfreight volumes across the continent, said Stephen Bishop, airfreight director at CFR Freight. “There is high potential for air cargo considering Africa’s growing young population and fast-growing economies,” he said – and this was further bolstered by continued growth in the mining sector. “We are expecting good volumes this year into the continent,” said Bishop. “We have hired an additional route development coordinator which allows for a more focused approach on growing our products.” With strong traffic growth expected on the continent over the next two decades, it is an investment that will move the neutral consolidator a step forward. “African destinations have
already been six of our top 10 lanes over the past two years, with a number of cross trades into and out of Africa,” said Rebecca Foster, responsible for CFR Freight’s airfreight route development. “With us being a member of the Air Cargo Group, and being situated in Africa, we are often the agent of choice when our overseas agents have African business. CFR Freight then assumes the risk with the African agents as we have more of an understanding of how they conduct business.” The sector does however have its challenges - especially in terms of capacity. According to Bishop this is evident mostly during high peak times when finding space can be problematic. But in light of the ongoing air cargo development on the continent there were constant improvements, he said.