SAFCOR PANALPINA scored a goal when it was chosen by the South African Government as the preferred logistics supplier to move airport handling equipment to Mali for the African Cup of Nations soccer tournament now in progress. South Africa supplied Mali with both infra-structural and technical support in the areas of airport apron management services, communication technology, air and road transportation, medical emergency services as well as avionics and training, involving a number of private companies and government departments. Safcor Panalpina, which now incorporates Renfreight, had the task of delivering airport handling and operating equipment. An Antonov 124 aircraft, until recently the largest cargo aircraft in the world, was chartered to move the 218 tons of equipment needed for Mali's three new airports which were built in time for the start of the tournament. "We had exactly a week to organise the total logistics," says sales consultant Fiona Hampson. "The cargo was delivered in three rotations of around 70 tons each. This consisted of a push back tug, toilet trucks, water trucks, ground power units, conveyor belts, baggage wagons, hauling trucks, mobile base stations and refreshments."
