There has been a significant
increase in demand for
aircraft charters from
the mining sector in recent
months, according to Iain Clark,
managing director of Chapman
Freeborn Airchartering Africa.
“This is especially true of West
Africa, with a major increase in
demand from Ghana, Congo,
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea
where a range of aircraft is
deployed – from HS748s, and
MD11s to B747s and IL76s.”
Clark said Uganda was a
key location for flying spares,
exploration equipment and core
samples, mostly using An26s,
DC9s,747s and the L100-30.
“For this reason we have an
office in Entebbe, Uganda to
service the region. The industry
demands the quickest, safest
route in and out of the various
mining locations and being in
the region provides an edge,” he
told FTW.
“Nothing is too large, too
small or too difficult,” he
said. “And what’s more there
is growing potential for the
mining and mineral sectors, with
Africa’s significant resources of
fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) as
well as gold and copper, not to
mention the large biomass and
bio-fuels potential (ethanol, biodiesel).
Africa has an untapped
hydro-electric potential as well.
We have been rather active in
the Mtwara region of Tanzania
recently also moving equipment
for the LNG sector.”
Clark is upbeat about the
future of the mining and
minerals sector which remains
one of the best-performing
sectors, attracting investments
and driving growth in key
African countries. He therefore
expects increased demand for
aircraft charters.
Clark said traditionally Africa
had been a difficult market in
which to operate, owing to the
various regulations specific to
each country, but he believes this
is improving.
“In our case we have
overcome these challenges by
employing recognised agents or
representatives in each country.
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