Security 108 tops airfreight agenda

The big issue of the moment at the front of the agenda for all the companies in the airfreight industry is the January switch-on of the new Part 108 security procedure, according to Alwyn Rautenbach, MD of Airlink Cargo and chairman of the Air Cargo Operators’ Committee (Acoc). “Everybody in the aviation sector is busy being processed as accredited agents,” he said, “and that includes the airfreight members of the clearing and forwarding industry as well.” Not that it’s that straightforward an exercise. “But,” he said, “despite this, the industry is supportive of the Part 108 concept, and they are all laying out the appropriate security systems.” Rautenbach also suggested that Acoc had something else occupying its thoughts – that the serious global airfreight slowdown might leave southern Africa relatively unscathed. But, he added, the committee probably viewed it more as a hope than an expectation. The latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (Iata) show that global airfreight was down -7.7% in September compared to the same month last year. But, while Asia/Pacific carriers – the big players in world air cargo movement – were worst hit at -10.6%, Latin America down -14.6%; and North America down by -6%, Africa actually hit a plus 1.5% figure. “SA airfreight imports might be under pressure from the weak rand,” said Rautenbach, “but the African market is still doing well.”