Intermodal airfreight hub operations serving African imports have found an unlikely ally in the situation south of the Suez, where heightened risk because of attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, has driven down ocean cargo by as much as 50%.
Kenya Airways' head of cargo commercial, Peter Musola, has explained that the driver of demand in air freight this year has been the increase in sea-air volumes originating from the Middle East.
This trend arises as shippers seek alternatives to sea routes around South Africa towards West Africa due to the heightened risks of missile attacks in the Bab al-MandAb strait, the narrowest point of passage on the seaway linking the Mediterranean with the Arabian Sea.
Musola noted that Kenya Airways (KQ) is advantageously positioned to benefit from this shift in demand, given its existing connections to many destinations in West Africa.
He highlighted the significant shift of cargo from sea to air freight, particularly impacting the west coast of Africa.
Musola said: "KQ already serves destinations like Freetown, Conakry, Monrovia, and Accra."
Explaining the sea-air route dynamics, he added that ocean carriers would ideally transit via the Suez Canal and then head westwards.
Unfortunately, the current situation off the coast of Yemen from where Houthi rebels are launching their attacks, has essentially closed off this route.
Musola further explained that exporters from the Far East are now opting to transport their cargo to the Middle East via sea freight, followed by an airfreight journey into Africa.
He said Kenya Airways is considering introducing freighter flights to Dubai World Central, a key sea-air hub in the region.
These plans were in motion prior to the sea-air demand surge and are intended to meet the export demand for perishables, including meat.
