Page 22 - LUA May June 2024 for Website

INDUSTRY REPORT

Airlines believe charter services are charters in Africa apart from geopolitical
in high demand due to geopolitical disruptions, he answered, "The rise of
disruptions and urgent delivery needs. online shopping, which accelerated during
However, Wyk from Chapman Freeborn the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to a surge
says there is also a high demand in demand for consumer goods not just
for African charter services due to locally but globally."
infrastructure limitations, remote location, Rodrigues also mentioned that
time sensitivity, and unpredictable road although e-commerce demand in Africa
conditions. Industries such as mining, oil is growing rapidly, it is still challenging
and gas, humanitarian aid, and agriculture to contract directly with big players for
rely heavily on cargo air charters to meet the last-mile organisation. As a result,
their specialised needs. these volumes are usually divided among
Africa's mining and oil industries multiple forwarders and intermediate
require charter cargo flights to ensure the hubs. Additionally, the rapid growth of this
arrival of spare parts. Due to the need for market has led to an increased demand
more commercial space, life science and for electronic transportation, which is
healthcare products also need charter vulnerable to theft and damage.
services. DHL's Sari confirms that these
industries rely heavily on charter services.
With advancements in technology
and infrastructure, cargo charters have
become vital for diverse industries beyond
traditional sectors like oil and gas," said OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Jenny van Wyk, Chapman Freeborn AND FLYING TOWARDS
THE FUTURE
E-COMMERCE: DRIVING Africa's air cargo charter sector faces
CHARTERS BEYOND OIL AND With advancements challenges due to increased demand,
GAS SECTORS the Red Sea Crisis, and high war-risk
According to Wyk, air cargo charters have in technology and premiums. However, industry stakeholders
become vital for diverse industries beyond infrastructure, cargo such as DHL, Etihad Cargo, Astral
traditional sectors such as oil and gas. charters have become Aviation, and Chapman Freeborn harness
The rise of e-commerce in Africa leads to technology's power to develop innovative
increased demand for air cargo charters. vital for diverse solutions.
This is due to the need for a reliable and industries beyond To mitigate the impact of increased
swift delivery system for time-sensitive and traditional sectors demand due to the Red Sea Crisis,
high-value shipments. Businesses across Chapman Freeborn maximises capacity,
the continent are leveraging air cargo like oil and gas. prioritises critical shipments, optimises
charters to cater to their customers' needs. JENNY VAN WYK flight routes, and maintains open
When Rodrigues was asked what CHAPMAN FREEBORN communication with clients. Meanwhile,
is driving the demand for air cargo DHL has avoided capacity tightness and
cost increases for their customers due to
their control over a wide BSA and a high
charter capacity. On the other hand, Etihad
Cargo provides comprehensive security
at all transport stages and is CEIV Li-batt
certified for handling dangerous goods
such as lithium batteries.
"Africa needs an open-sky environment.
Limitations on flight permissions and
execution times of flight-related approvals
are slowing down the sector." - Erdem Sari,
DHL Global Forwarding.

UNIQUE SOLUTIONS FOR
UNIQUE CHALLENGES
Sari believes that Africa's aviation sector
needs an open sky environment as flight
permission limitations and slow execution

20 LUA MAY - JUNE 2024