Business flies high for charter operator

Africa’s booming oil and gas industry continues to show huge growth despite the many regulatory and political challenges the continent faces, says Heinz Lange, operations manager Africa for Chapman Freeborn. “Traditionally Africa has been known as a difficult market owing to the various regulations specific to each country, but we continue to see growth in the oil and gas industry while the construction sector is also doing well.” For Lange these are clear indications that Africa is on the rise and the company is therefore focused on growing its operations in the region in the future. “Be it the regulatory environment or the slow turnaround time in some cases when it comes to landing permits, it is all about finding ways to overcome the challenges and get the job done.” For Lange and his team at Chapman Freeborn, in the African context this means finding reliable representatives and agents in the different countries in which they operate. “For us it is about partnerships and much effort goes into building strong collaborative partnerships across business, communities and governments. Ultimately this provides a solid framework for supporting mutually beneficial expansion across Africa.” The continent is not, however, without its challenges. “In areas such as Central Africa, for example, airport and road infrastructure will have to be improved before we can realistically expect further growth in air cargo movement.” He says flying in and out of remote areas with little or no accessibility remains a major constraint to the growth of air cargo. “It needs to be also mentioned that while the physical investment in actual infrastructure is important, we cannot overlook the fact that improvements also need to be made to customs, border management and regional facilitation and integration. Africa needs to address it all.” But, says Lange, while there are still those who are sceptical about Africa, his company is already seeing improvements in infrastructure. “I believe aviation has helped to link the continent to the world and plays a powerful role in integrating the 54 national economies of Africa. With only a few kilometres of tarmac, even the most remote destination can become a part of the global community.” INSERT & CAPTION With only a few kilometres of tarmac, even the most remote destination can become a part of the global community. – Heinz Lange CAPTION Linking the continent to the world and playing a powerful role in integrating the 54 national economies of Africa.