SAA’s Makhetha blames ACSA and Customs for holding back growth

LEONARD NEILL
INFRASTRUCTURE backlogs and electronic customs issues are holding back airfreight growth at Johannesburg International Airport (JIA).
That was the message from South African Airways Cargo executive vice-president Tleli Makhetha, when he addressed delegates at the Airports Company of SA Airline Interlining Conference in Johannesburg last week.
Makhetha said that inadequate infrastructure development at the airport would inhibit future competitiveness. Insufficient policing of operators to ensure that all comply with minimum operating, regulatory and safety standards was a further concern, he said.
“ Acsa continues to deal with cargo as a non core activity and does not give it sufficient focus,” he said “Lack of co-ordinated planning in terms of access to the airport and of developing air cargo facilities is also not helping.
“Customs is lagging behind in implementing the EDI project. This would greatly improve the speed of movement of cargo through the complex.”
The development and management of a comprehensive information system on cargo moving through the hub presented a serious challenge to the airport’s stakeholders, he said.
He believes a medium- and long-term infrastructure development programme needs to be implemented to facilitate future growth. Here the airport authorities must take the lead together with key stakeholders in defining the vision of JIA as a serious air cargo hub.
“Increases in trade volumes indicate that things are moving in the right direction. There has also been a clear decrease in the number of criminal incidents at the cargo complex. With this, major international players in air cargo handling and management are showing keen interest in setting up shop here. Major global logistics companies are showing a great deal of confidence in doing business through Johannesburg. “