Offering a full range of services
ALAN PEAT
WHILE FAST International is general sales agent (GSA) for a number of airlines, it also specialises in operating charters through a separate division of the company, according to manager Dave Purchase.
“In this we are the forwarding and clearing agents for clients in charter and part charter contracts.”
The company undertakes to find suitable aircraft, negotiate contracts, organise special packaging and crating where needed, store the goods and supply handling equipment. It also provides a full range of expertise in handling dangerous goods.
“We don’t just broker aircraft, we do everything from A to Z,” said Purchase, “on behalf of and with the customer.”
Added benefits at Fast International are a full range of services, complete with full warehousing and transport systems in-house.
“We have everything from a large 15-ton forklift to handle goods in our warehouse, to a range of vehicles up to Superlink size to pick up and deliver the customer’s goods,” said Purchase.
“We also build airline pallets in our own premises, and then deliver straight onto the aircraft.
“All added benefits we have as logistics operators.”
In the company’s operations book at the moment is a contract with the majors in the telecommunications industry to handle all their equipment storage, stock control and roll-out to African destinations on charter flights.
“We also currently have one logistics solution where we have to ship 25 pieces of oil well equipment each weighing 406-kilograms into Singapore,” said Purchase. “This requires special placement on the aircraft to enable it to carry such a heavy, dense cargo and still remain in trim.”
For loads which can’t be directly shipped from SA, Fast International liaises with its Brussels and Amsterdam offices which transfer cargoes to their worldwide destinations on the company’s own freighter aircraft operating out of Europe.
