Upington hub comes up trumps in feasibility study

ALAN PEAT THE IDEA of the seldom-used Upington International Airport becoming an airfreight transit hub seems to have everything going for it, according to the recently-released feasibility study by Cargo Connections chairman, Gerd von Mansberg. He sees potential for 780 flights a year, the immediate creation of 72 full-time jobs, and the use of Upington airport generating over R104-million a year into the economy. After discussions with industries and industry bodies, Von Mansberg’s sees an initial promise of airfreight products from the region – enough to justify as many as eight freighter flights a week, some even needing the Boeing 747. Amongst exports he identified the potential of fish from Luderitz and Walvis Bay in Namibia; mutton/goat from Windhoek in Namibia and the Northern Cape region; fruit from the Western Cape / Cape Town and locally; and automotive components from Port Elizabeth. About 80% of the fish exports are bound for Spain, and 20% for the rest of Europe; the mutton/goat for Switzerland; the fruit mainly to the UK and the balance to Europe; and the auto components to Germany. Imports will be destined for motor manufacturers in East London, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria – with 90% of them from Germany. In attracting freighter airlines – and he targets Lufthansa from Frankfurt; Air France, Paris; Martinair, Amsterdam; Cargolux, Luxembourg; British Airways, London (Heathrow); and MK Airlines, London (Gatwick) – he headlines less congestion and hence greater timetable choice. Von Mansberg sees the other bait in quicker airport turn around time; potential for improved payload factors; potentially lower landing and airport charges (and “airlines should be encouraged to use Upington by some “early support” discount pricing,” he said); for certain airlines, additional cargo sources from other African territories; and the SA fuel price subsidising uplifts from other African airports.