Valuable goods embargo shows no sign of easing

THE DOLLARS are no longer flying into South Africa. Airlines have taken an uncompromising stand on the carrying of banknotes, gold bullion and diamonds from abroad to this country following the recent spate of hijackings of containers at Johannesburg International Airport.
Most airlines are tight-lipped at present regarding future plans about what has been dubbed ‘special cargo’, but it is clear that those flying in from Europe are almost unanimous. They will not accept inbound loads of this nature until they are satisfied with the security at JIA.
Lufthansa, KLM and Olympic Airways have flown out representatives from their headquarters to assess the situation at first hand. Following meetings with the Airports Company of South Africa and the police KLM’s Amsterdam-based security manager Cor Verdoes has said the matter seriously concerns the airline.
“I think the South African authorities understand the gravity of the situation. We are now waiting to see if it can be brought under control. Security will have to be improved as the type of embargoes which are being instituted have serious financial implications for airlines, but most importantly for the South African economy,” he said.
The situation has not had any marked effect on airlines flying from other directions, mainly because they are not involved in the carriage of these forms of valuables.
“We don’t face the problem,” says Emirates SkyCargo general manager for South Africa Kum Naicker. “This is the type of commodity we are not required to carry, so our service goes on without the thoughts of any embargo.”