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INDUSTRY REPORT

Navigating the skies
THE GROWING

ROLE OF AIR CARGO

CHARTERS IN AFRICA

Despite challenges such as infrastructure deficiencies and geopolitical conflicts,
the African air cargo charter market is rising, reports Rajarshi Chatterjee.

ccording to The International Air operated 23% more charters in 2023
Transport Association (IATA), compared to the previous year."
global air cargo demand in "Traditional demand for cargo charters
AMarch 2024 increased by 10.3% to Africa remains strong, yet supply
compared to March 2023, and international remains constrained compared to 2019.
operations saw an 11.4% increase. Available This shortfall results from competition for
cargo capacity increased by 7.3%, with capacity on major trade lanes as companies
Middle Eastern airlines experiencing the pivot towards more reliable and quicker
most substantial demand growth at 19.9%. shipping options, such as air charters,
African airlines also performed well, with a Etihad Cargo and a relative lack of belly cargo space out
14.2% increase in demand. of Greater China, coupled with a higher
In February 2024, African airlines witnessed a 35% reliance on freighters," added Rodrigues.
experienced a remarkable 22% surge increase in charter To add to that point, Jenny van
in air cargo demand compared to the requests and Wyk, Country Manager—South Africa,
previous year, marking the highest growth Chapman Freeborn, said, "As Africa's
rate globally. The intra-Africa trade lane operated 23% more economy continues to develop, the cargo
was particularly noteworthy, exhibiting charters in 2023 than air charter market is poised for further
a substantial 42.3% increase in demand, the previous year. expansion and innovation."
while overall air cargo capacity rose 28.2%
year-on-year. LEONARD RODRIGUES BUT WHAT IS FUELING
"Africa is a growing continent", said ETIHAD CARGO THE GROWTH OF THE AIR
Erdem Sari, Regional Air Charter Manager, CARGO CHARTER MARKET IN
StarBroker – DHL Global Forwarding, AFRICA?
Middle East and Africa, as the opening OVERVIEW OF AFRICA'S AIR Partnerships between industry players
statement during a recent interview with CARGO CHARTER MARKET have boosted air cargo charters in Africa.
Logistics Update Africa. DHL Global While discussing the overview of the air Etihad Cargo and Astral Aviation's
Forwarding and DHL Aviation have cargo charter market in Africa, Sanjeev collaboration enhances cargo services
bundled resources to add value. This was Gadhia, CEO, Astral Aviation, said, "The between the UAE and Africa. Their
made possible by their in-house carrier, air charter market for Africa has been new route from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi
DHL StarBroker, which is DHL Global buoyant since September 2023, with an facilitates swift transportation and opens
Forwarding's in-house charter team. increase in charters to Africa." up new trade opportunities, promoting
The demand for air cargo in Africa "Etihad Cargo witnessed a 35% increase economic growth.
is on the rise, driven by the growth of in charter requests and operated 23% more Astral Aviation's Sanjeev Gadhia also
e-commerce, urgent deliveries, and the charters in 2023 than the previous year." - believes that geopolitical disruptions are one
Red Sea Crisis. This demand has led to an Leonard Rodrigues, Etihad Cargo of the primary factors driving the growth
increase in both scheduled cargo flights and Discussing the same topic, Leonard of air cargo charters in Africa. During a
charter air cargo. These specialised services Rodrigues, Head of Revenue Management recent interview, he informed Logistics
offer fast and efficient transportation & Network Planning, Etihad Cargo, Update Africa, "The main factor driving
solutions for various industries, including informed that "Etihad Cargo witnessed demand for charters is disruptions in the
mining, oil, and e-commerce. a 35% increase in charter requests and supply chain caused by extreme situations

18 LUA MAY - JUNE 2024