London-bound cargo continues
to fly out on the same day it
leaves Cape Town International
Airport despite South African
Airways’ cancellation of direct
flights on the route.
According to Martin Upton, sales
officer for SAA Cargo in Cape
Town, the cancellation of the direct
flight to London was countered by
accommodating cargo units on a
wide-bodied flight every day from
Cape Town to Johannesburg where
it is moved to a direct flight to
London.
“The units are also pre-packed
in Cape Town so they are loaded
directly on arrival in Johannesburg
and don’t have to be broken down
again. All cargo originating from
Cape Town, while not going
directly from the city, can still be
flown on the same day to London,”
he said.
SAA Cargo remains committed
to moving cargo from Cape Town
as quickly and as efficiently as
possible – especially since its
biggest clients are in the perishable
market, said Upton.
“We are the originating area
for a lot of perishable exports
including fresh fish, fruit and –
quite importantly – live lobsters.
Perishables remain time-sensitive
and therefore being able to offer
a same-day service is extremely
important to us.”
Volumes have remained stable,
according to Upton, although the
continuing economic difficulties
being experienced in Europe – one
of the Western Cape’s biggest
markets – continue to affect figures.
“The Western Cape is very
seasonal with not a lot of
manufacturing taking place in
comparison to other regions in
the country. That also affects the
volumes as we have big loads
of cargo going in the summer
months, but then in winter it is
very quiet. And as Europe remains
in economic turmoil, the volumes
remain flat.”
He said with Cape Town also
being an “out station” it is not
always able to give its clients a
direct offering.
“Most of the connecting flights
to the African countries depart in
Johannesburg in the mornings,
so cargo from Cape Town has to
move the day before to make these
flights. That affects transit times
and adds a whole day in most cases.
These are some of the challenges
that we have to overcome and we
are working hard towards making
sure our customers are receiving
the best transit times for their
products.”
CAPTION
Martin Upton … ‘Europe’s woes
continue to affect volumes.’
