SAA Cargo figures New aircraft fleet will boost domestic loads SOUTH AFRICAN Airways Cargo increased its revenue 18,9% to a figure of R1 394 million, it reported in its annual financial results released in Johannesburg last month. This was a jump up on the 2001 figure of R 1 172 million, despite the international problems which faced the airfreight industry following the September 11 crisis in the United States, and which saw the majority of global airlines declaring a downtrend in business. SAA Cargo stated that the growth in revenue was mainly as a result of an increase in rates, which was offset by a decrease in tonnage flow. The depreciation of the rand also had a positive effect on Cargo’s revenue, said the report. It indicated that while the change from Boeing to Airbus aircraft during the next decade would have little effect on cargo volumes internationally, where capacity would not change to any extent, the new Airbus aircraft would be able to carry containerised cargo on domestic and regional services in additional to long-haul schedules, which would add considerably to the existing strong income base. Current domestic flights on smaller Boeing aircraft do not carry containers.
