Brazil has become the first intercontinental route to be relaunched by South African Airways (SAA) following its restructuring process. The inaugural flights are set to take off on Tuesday, October 31, from Cape Town, and Monday, November 6, from Johannesburg. Cape Town will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with Johannesburg flights operating on Mondays and Thursdays.
This much-anticipated operation will see the linking of Africa’s most industrialised and diversified economy with the largest economy in South America through airfreight.
The move boosts long-standing ties between Brazil and South Africa, which are both members of the recently expanded Brics, a grouping of the world’s leading emerging market economies.
For Air Cargo, the route is expected to unlock a host of opportunities for export and import services, augmenting already existing trade relations between the two countries.
The restart of the Brazil route is welcome news for the industry, especially when it comes to the movement of time-sensitive goods. SAA will operate a wide-body fleet with ample space to load palletised cargo and provide faster movement of goods, whether it is general cargo, pharmaceuticals, or high-value cargo.
In addition, the aircraft's temperature-controlled cargo hold allows for the transportation of live animals through SAA Cargo on direct flights of approximately 10 hours between South Africa and Brazil, with options from Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Even though the two countries are separated by more than 7 000 kilometres, trade between them has always been key. Both enjoy strategic geolocation, which means South Africa shares greater similarities with Brazil than any other South American country. This strategic geolocation also means Brazil acts as a gateway into the rest of South America as South Africa does into the African region.
SAA manager for Cargo, Kekeletso Mokwena, says, “SAA has a proud history of operating between South Africa and South America, and Brazil in particular. SAA Cargo, as an airfreight partner for the industry – seamlessly and successfully transported racing vehicles and spares from Johannesburg to São Paulo, en route to Peru, for the Toyota racing team, ahead of the Dakar rally.”
For the industry, having both Cape Town and Johannesburg as options for airfreight uplift, was an indispensable cog for the promotion of trade between South Africa and South America, added Mokwena.
Sales and reservations for this highly anticipated route are now open.
