Von Mansberg heads Upington feasibility initiative

Joy Orlek
SERIOUS MOVES are afoot to establish once and for all the viability of an international air cargo hub at Upington.
The SA Chamber of Business-driven initiative has the full backing of the Northern Cape Provincial government which sees the city as an attractive transhipment hub for perishables and time-sensitive cargo like automotive components.
Well known airfreight industry authority, Gerd von Mansberg, has been appointed to undertake the feasibility study which begins its intensive research programme on October 17.
The research will be undertaken in three phases, the first focusing on the hub’s export potential. “And this will include cargo from Namibia, the Western and Northern Cape,” Von Mansberg said.
“The airfreight infrastructure is in place and Acsa (Airports Company SA) has expressed its support for the project,” he added.
Phase two will look at import viability and this will include a trucking hub in the city and the creation of cold storage facilities at the airport.
Phase three will take the concept to the airlines and establish which carriers would be keen to use the facility. It would make sense to involve a tourism promotion which could see charter airlines flying to Upington.
Von Mansberg will appoint university graduates in the region as assistants.
He expects to complete the study by the end of January.
Armed with this information he will possibly lead a delegation of local business people to Europe to sell the concept there.