SAUDI ARABIAN Airlines has appointed a newly established company, Air Associates Africa, as its South African g.s.a. effective since July 1.
Shafee Mohamed and Luer Freeks, both established personalities in the airfreight industry, have joined forces to set up the new business in Jan Smuts Park, adjacent to Johannesburg International Airport.
Mohamed is the operational executive and Freeks regional cargo executive.
The twice weekly airline service, which arrives at Johannesburg International Airport and departs same day on Saturday and Monday for Saudi Arabia, is currently offering near full loads of 20 tons of cargo per flight.
We are fortunate in having high capacities available to us, says Mohamed. This will be particularly important in the height of the perishable season, from October to March, when we will be handling heavy loads of fruit and vegetables.
Currently we are concentrating on general cargo and there is an increasing demand for space in this area. A good deal of it is being re-routed from Saudi-Arabia to various European destinations through a hub in Brussels.
By Leonard Neill