Local operators criticise ‘lax control’
LEONARD NEILL
THE DEPARTMENT of Transport came under fire at last week’s Airline Interlining Conference in Johannesburg over the issue of Freighter Operators’ Permits (FOP) which enable foreign-based airlines to land in South Africa.
“It’s a lot more complex than the freight industry may realise,” Wrenelle Stander, director-general of the Department of Transport told delegates. Local freight operators claimed her department was lax in its control and policing of foreign airlines landing in this country, claiming to be in possession of legal FOP documents issued in the country where they were licensed.
She maintained that the process applicable to both foreign and South African operators was fair and governed in terms of recognised international standards and practices. The issuing of permits in general was far more complex than the mere policing of foreign operators and their aircraft, she said.
“A greater challenge for local operators has generally been the fierceness of competition in the global cargo market. This market is dominated by large operators, many of which are specialised cargo operators.
“All airline operators around the world are exposed to similar processes of licensing and must measure up to the operator certificate test. This is performed by the respective aeronautical authorities globally.
“Once the carriers have satisfied these tests, they are then able to explore economic opportunities anywhere in the world.”
