New freighter service plans September launch

Nairobi hub for Europe/US cargo TRANSIT TRADING International has been appointed South African general sales agent for CAL (Cargo Airlines), the Israeli-based freighter airline which will introduce a weekly service in and out of Johannesburg International Airport from September 22. CAL currently operates a 747 freighter between the Middle East and Nairobi, the hub for flights to Europe and the United States. The freighter will introduce a Nairobi-Johannesburg-Nairobi leg once a week to link with onward services to international destinations. "There is a full trucking service throughout Europe from Liege in Belgium, which is the freighter's destination," says Hugo Smit, formerly head of Airworld, the freighter service which was supported SAA's domestic cargo services in recent years. Smit has joined Transit Trading to take control of the gsa operation in this country. United States destinations include New York and Chicago. Heading operations at Johannesburg International Airport is Airfreight Brokers (AFB) director Andre Langedyk. AFB will handle the domestic operation under general manager Gerrie le Roux while Transit Trading will take care of the international arm.