Leonard Neill
A CHANGE IN aircraft types by Malaysia Airlines has provided Aireps with an unexpected boost in cargo capacity to the Far East at a time when the general sales agent is celebrating its 10th birthday.
The airline had previously flown two 747-400 passenger aircraft and two 747-400 combis on its four weekly flights from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur. The passenger craft were replaced last month with two more 747-400 combis.
There is a 40ton uplift on each combi, which means 160tons available weekly to the Far East, says Aireps managing director Simon Lavarack.
Friday and Saturday flights go direct from Cape Town/ JIA with full local loads, but Monday and Thursday are shared with Malaysia's Buenos Aires office. On this service, however, cargo capacity is available from Cape Town and Johannesburg to South American destinations.
We started with Malaysia Airlines three years ago when we had a mere 2% of the export market to Asian destinations, says Lavarack. We now control 30%. It has required good teamwork backed by the knowledge we gained as Cathay Pacific's gsa from 1991-1996.
The airline is the only direct Asian carrier with upperdeck cargo configuration, which means we can handle outsized cargo to the Far East.
Aireps cargo on the Far East service is an equal mix of perishables and general cargo. Crayfish, abalone and fresh fruit are the major perishable commodities, while general cargo is, in the main, geared to a sizeable chunk of the automotive industry to China, Japan and Korea.
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