SAA upbeat about air cargo growth

The air cargo terminal at the new King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu Natal was opened with much fanfare in May, with promises of state-of-the-art equipment adding a new dimension to the service offering for airfreight customers. But the reality was far from perfect with input from shippers and freight agents pointing to a fairly challenging start, with significant delays the order of the day. For airlines, chief among them the national carrier, the facility has structural and operational challenges – so far. But SAA Cargo is working within the current constraints to find the best possible solutions for its clients. “The warehouse was designed to handle smaller parcels,” says SAA’s Durban cargo terminal manager, Lennox Kotsedi. “And it was built without input from the airlines that will be using it which is unfortunate. But we are doing all we can to maintain the high standard of service to which our customers are accustomed,” Kotsedi told FTW. One of the major problem areas is space, he added. SAA Cargo has effectively moved from a 5 000m² warehouse at the old Durban Airport which it owned into a facility the same size which is shared with the leasing company Worldwide Flight Services – tasked with the handling of all international cargo – and two other competitors, which is fairly restrictive. However, even though it is smaller it has racking capacity of up to eight metres high. “The new facility also poses a challenge in terms of easy access for our customers,” says Khotsedi, which has resulted in delays – with additional problems at the start caused by a malfunction of the ETV to locate shipments. There is however light at the end of the tunnel, says Kotsedi, who is positive that with co-operation from WFS and Acsa, the problems can be solved. “We have a lot of key customers moving into the agents’ facility which will be completed in the next month or so.” And he’s upbeat about the potential to grow airfreight volumes. It’s all about catering for the unique needs of customers rather than providing a one size fits all option. “SAA Cargo offers affordable products such as general cargo, same-day Express and Starlight Express. We also cater for perishables, dangerous goods, live animals, human remains and vulnerables. We look forward to handling valuable cargo again once an airlock facility has been built by Dube Trade Port.” A number of new options are on the drawing boards as the airline strategises for the future – details of which will be revealed as they are finalised.