Bringing together the expertise of Safair, which holds 70% of the new company, Comair with a 30% stake and Express Air Services as the dedicated service provider, IAC will tap into a growing market dominated until now by the national carrier. IAC will operate three aircraft on a nightly schedule of return flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, George and Durban. “These centres account for approximately 90% of all night express freight activity,” EAS MD Francois Wolmarans told FTW at the official press launch last week. Once the domestic service is bedded down, IAC will consider extending into sub-Saharan Africa. While the partners chose not to identify specific destinations, they stressed that capacity would be provided in response to customer demand. “Night freighting is vital for about 70% (by revenue value) of the country’s courier sector needs,” Safair CEO Christo Kok told FTW. “The year on year growth in the cargo market has outgrown the capacity currently offered and confirms the need for a second service provider,” he said. And while service is the primary focus, Kok made it clear that rates would be extremely competitive. He's also confident of the sustainability of the venture. “Attempts to gain a slice of the dedicated night freighter business have in the past been thwarted by a lack of all round expertise by those who attempted it,” says Kok, "We have the experience, expertise and financial backing to make it work."
