As the world continues to recover from the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, hopes are high in the airfreight sector for a revival in the fourth quarter of the year.
Industry experts and analysts anticipate a surge in demand, bringing much-needed optimism to the aviation industry.
According to Paul Danvers, commercial director at Groupair SA, improved demand is expected to continue to grow leading up to year-end.
This is primarily due to the impending need for urgent order fulfilment, among other contributing factors, which in turn will ease some of the pressure the airfreight sector has been facing.
“International airfreight demand has dwindled, a trend mirrored here in South Africa," Danvers has said.
"This decline is not isolated, given the global economy's unstable nature.
"The persistent challenge of high inflation has also cast its shadow over the world economy and trade.
"In the face of these limitations, however, opportunities arise for wholesalers like us, providing SME forwarders with a global network to serve their customers.”
He said Groupair had launched a number of products over the past year, aligning with their ongoing strategy to continually enhance their offerings.
“We have also set up regular consolidations from Europe and Asia for import cargo and developed a market-leading position on exports to many key African markets.
"Furthermore, Groupair has extended its global presence by inaugurating new offices across the world, recently in the United Kingdom.
"With our expansion continuing in the UK, we are actively engaged in similar endeavours in the United States and the Middle East.
"Additionally, we are reinforcing vital partnerships in Hong Kong and China.”
Danvers said there was a growing need for oil and gas as well as mining equipment in Africa, while the perishable market continued to go from strength to strength as global demand was on the increase.
“These developments have resulted in heightened activity along very specific trade routes.
"Moreover, as additional capacity re-enters the market, coupled with price reductions, South African goods and produce are becoming more competitive on the global stage.”
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