Automotive business fosters airfreight growth

Increased trucking between
Johannesburg and Durban as
well as capacity constraints
at the new operational facility
are some of the challenges
faced by SAA Cargo, says
Venita Bunsee, acting terminal
manager for SAA Cargo in
Durban.
“Despite this the Durban
market has performed
relatively well in the past
year. The market remains
consistent, with international
demand for automotive
products increasing.”
There is no denying that
there have been teething
problems at the new
operational facility,” says
Bunsee.
“At present we have some
capacity constraints due to
a smaller warehouse being
shared amongst a number
of clients, however we are
addressing these issues with
Worldwide Flight Services
(WFS).”
On the upside there have
been a number of automotive
contracts which have recently
been awarded to clients in
the Durban region, and as a
result airfreight demand has
increased.
“The increase in trucking
between Johannesburg and
Durban has posed some
competition on this route,
in particular resulting in a
decline in yields in the sector
at times.”
With the new airport in
Durban there is much room
for development, says Bunsee.
“Not only from a functional
perspective, but also from
a route perspective. With
international carriers now
flying into Durban the
airport can offer a range of
opportunities for northern
KwaZulu-Natal for both
airfreight and the economy at
large.
“We retain our daytime and
overnight express services
to Durban and the network
offerings on SAA still provide
us with a niche market across
the globe.”