Polish airline targets export cargo

LOT Polish Airlines has
appointed BidAir Cargo as
general sales agent (GSA) for
its cargo operations. Sister
company BidAir Services
has been contracted as the
Ground Handling Agent
(GHA).
The LOT service connects
Warsaw Chopin Airport
with Durban’s King Shaka
Airport, using Boeing
787 Dreamliners. Market
research conducted by the
Polish flag carrier showed
significant passenger
demand from Durban, which
led to the introduction of
fortnightly charter flights in
their winter schedule (South
African summer). The cargo
capacity gives exporters a
direct overnight option into
Central Europe.
Flights are scheduled
every second Thursday
arriving in Durban at 18:20
and departing for Warsaw
at 20:50. “The evening
departure is convenient for
exporters and agents sending
aircargo to arrive in Eastern
and Central Europe next
day,” says Lenishia Naicker,
regional manager of BidAir
Cargo in Durban. “Poland
is strategically placed with
Warsaw midway between
Paris and Moscow. From
the Polish capital there are
connections throughout
Eastern Europe which is
convenient and cost-efficient,
avoiding transhipment via
Western European hubs.”
LOT was the first
European carrier to fly
Dreamliners. “The aircraft
can accommodate 16 tonnes
of cargo from Durban,” says
Naicker. “In addition to cargo
emanating from KwaZulu-
Natal, we can also accept
consignments from elsewhere
in our national and regional
network.”
South Africa is Poland's
largest trading partner on
the African continent and
the two countries signed
an Economic Cooperation
Agreement last year to
strengthen and develop
co-operation. There are
similarities in the two
economies in the areas of
mining and automotive.
Local exports are dominated
by the machinery and
automotive categories.
Additionally, South African
business has significant
investments in Poland's
beverages, paper, furniture
manufacturing, and retail
and distribution sectors.