Diamonds are still
Botswana’s best friends –
which is good news for air
cargo growth.
“Due to the high risk involved in
the transporting of diamonds air
is still the most favoured mode of
transport,” said Molefi Kgautlhe,
assistant cargo manager for Air
Botswana. “The decision to relocate
the Botswana Diamond Trading
Company to Gaborone from London
is also good news for air cargo in the
country.”
He said besides diamonds and
other high-value commodities
the airline was targeting the
pharmaceutical and perishables
sectors in an effort to grow air freight
volumes.
Air Botswana recently moved
into a brand new cargo terminal
in Gaborone (Sir Seretse Khama
Airport) from which all air cargo is
managed.
“We used to operate from a
very small building closer to the
passenger terminal, but investing in
new facilities has allowed us to up
our game and increase our volumes
significantly,” he told FTW. “Not
only are we able to facilitate and hold
more cargo, but everything including
customs, ministry of agriculture
and cargo clearing agents are now
all under one roof. We also have cold
rooms and bonded storage facilities
available and are able to service our
customers far better than in the
past.”
Kgautlhe said the 2 936-sqm
facility had capacity to handle
400 tonnes of loose and palletised
cargo a year.
“The premises are part of our
growth strategy in which we aim
to significantly increase our cargo
volumes.”
It has been a big year for the
airline’s cargo division – not only
moving into new premises but
also launching a dedicated cargo
freighter between Johannesburg and
Gaborone.
“Developing our cargo offering
is about maximising our revenue,”
explained Kgautlhe. “As a national
airline we have an obligation to
develop the country and government
is encouraging us to develop the
cargo arm since this will significantly
strengthen the country’s import and
export abilities.”
Kgautlhe said the airline had
also invested in a new cargo system
that allowed for better tracking and
tracing of goods as well as a new
and improved reservation system
that has seen the movement of cargo
improved.
CAPTION
The new air cargo premises for Air Botswana in Gaborone.
