New Belgian cargo carrier has big hub plans for SA

WHEN IT opened its twice-weekly cargo flights on October 14 – linking Brussels-Libreville- Johannesburg-Nairobi- Brussels – the new Belgian carrier, CargoB, said it had chosen Africa to spearhead its new international cargo freight service. The airline – which has investor and regional Flemish government backing of Euro25-million working capital for its venture – intends to eventually service Africa, South America and the Middle East. The choice of its initial route, according to information released to FTW by executive vice-president, Niek van der Weide, was partly motivated by SA’s increasing import volumes from or via Europe, while its choice of Brussels International Airport as its home hub was based on the facilities it offers, less congestion and its accessibility to most major European trade centres. Cargo B’s first aircraft was a former Air France Boeing 747-200F, with plans to add another aircraft by November, and a third in April 2008. The airline then aims to start servicing Sao Paulo in Brazil and Quito in Ecuador. In SA it has contracted Express Air Services (EAS) as its general sales agent (GSA). Cargo B regards SA as a springboard into southern Africa and it sought an extensive regional network of support which it believes EAS provides. MD Francois Wolmarans of EAS told FTW that “the strong export market of mainly perishables (such as flowers from SA and its neighbours) is now being balanced with increasing imports from or via Europe.” Beyond traditional imports such as motor vehicle components, machinery and certain high value items, Wolmarans added that a regular airfreight service at competitive rates would be well utilised by SA importers for a number of other products.