Ramp handling ‘exclusivity’ talk raises concern

Leonard Neill RUMOURED PLANS to limit the handling of cargo at Johannesburg International Airport to exclusively designated specialist companies has raised concern in airline circles. “This is the major airport in the country and whatever is decided by officialdom will have a direct affect on our operations,” said an airline source. “Currently designated service providers Ð and there are two of them Ð handle the majority of airlines. But there are carriers that have established their own cargo handling services. They do so under a provision that 30% of the company is owned by the airline concerned, but airlines are now starting to quiver a little in case this qualification is removed. “Some private handling operations are wholly owned by the airlines themselves. We aren’t sure whether this will fall under the jurisdiction of Airports Company of SA (ACSA) or a more central government authority, but clarity is needed.” ACSA, which controls operations at most South African airports, has called for tenders for support service suppliers at airports under its control. This covers passenger services in the main, but does stretch to the handling of passenger baggage. The tender allows for the participation of some airline companies, which will be evaluated along with applications from certified ramp handlers. An ACSA spokesperson told FTW this week that there were no specific plans on the table at this stage with regard to cargo. Airport management was still involved with striking workers and was not available for comment at the time of going to press. “We fear that new restrictions will be imposed on cargo handling as the next step in an official clampdown at the airport,” said another airline official. “It does appear that there is a planned tightening up of airports in general. We, as an all-purposes airline, have been invited to tender for the passenger handling side. I’m wondering just what the future holds for the cargo handlers.”