PLANS FOR a weekly freighter service between Johannesburg and Nairobi, using the services of Israeli-based freighter airline CAL, have been delayed by South African general sales agents Transit Trading International (TTI). The service was due to start on September 22, with the freighter flying the Nairobi-Johannesburg-Nairobi route once a week as an add-on to the Middle East-Nairobi service. This also uses Nairobi as a hub for flights to Europe and the United States. "The volumes aren't there right now to justify the launch of the service, but we should get going in the next few months," said TTI's Hugo Smit. CAL is backed by a full trucking service throughout Europe from Liege in Belgium, which is the 747 freighter's final destination. TTI is planning to use this facility to boost sales for SA freight transhipped in Nairobi to Europe. More southbound freight from the Kenyan airport is needed to make the service viable. On the home front TTI's domestic arm, Airfreight Brokers (AFB), continues to offer an overnight Johannesburg-George freighter schedule, flying a Dornier with two tons capacity. But, says Smit, a new client is expected to come 'on board' shortly, which will place pressure on space availability. This could see the company switching to an AN32 freighter, allowing six and a half tons of space daily.
