Page 30 - LUA May June 2024 for Website

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We are seeing a
strong trend towards
e-commerce entering
the African market.
A larger than ever
proportion of the
cargo we handle
is e-commerce,
meaning that we
have had a laser-like
focus on ensuring
that goods can
move from aircraft Menzies Aviation facility at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
to warehouse to dnata, an air and travel services provider, lower costs, and a reduced environmental
forwarder as quickly launched operations at Zanzibar's new footprint for airlines. For Menzies, the
and efficiently as international terminal (T3) in partnership second quarter of 2024 will mark the roll-
possible. with Emirates Leisure Retail and Segap out of its end-to-end cargo management
last year. This partnership represents a system, Menzies Aviation Cargo
CHARLES WYLEY $10 million investment. In South Africa, Handling (MACH), to its South African
MENZIES AVIATION
Menzies Aviation has upgraded its warehouses. This transition represents a
warehouse capacity by acquiring the South leap towards innovation for the Menzies
O.R. Tambo International Airport has African Airways Cargo (SAA Cargo) Cargo Network. “Plans are underway
undertaken a $170 million cargo terminal warehouses in both Cape Town and to extend MACH to the entirety of
expansion, scheduled for completion Johannesburg. This expansion has provided Menzies' global network by the end of the
in 2024. Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Menzies with over 30,000 sqm of additional year, promising streamlined operations
International Airport (JKIA) invested warehouse space, complete with direct worldwide,” mentioned Wyley.
$120 million in a new cargo facility, which freighter apron access. Capitalising on the e-commerce boom
became operational in early 2023. Addis Automation and digitalisation efforts Beyond the terminal expansion in
Ababa's Bole International Airport's are gaining momentum simultaneously. Africa, the continent’s e-commerce
cargo terminal expansion, costing around Cargo ground handlers like Swissport, sector is taking off. Africa is forecast
$550 million, was completed last year. Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and to surpass half a billion e-commerce
AGL Rwanda is building a new Bugesera Menzies Aviation have implemented users by 2025, showing a steady 17%
International Airport 40km from Kigali. automated material handling systems compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
The project, valued at $2 billion, will and digital platforms at airports in South of online consumers for the market.
be co-owned by Rwanda (40%) and Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco and The rapid growth of e-commerce in
Qatar Airways (60%). The new airport, other parts of the continent. In 2024, Africa, projected to reach $51.2 billion
expected to be completed by 2026, will WFS announced that it will be boosting by 2025 according to a report by the
have a dedicated cargo terminal capable cargo efficiency across its EMEAA International Trade Administration,
of accommodating 150,000 tonnes of (Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia) has significantly impacted cargo ground
cargo per year. This trend aligns with network with Cind's ContourSpect. The handling operations. Ground handlers
the positive outlook from IATA, which 3D modelling software will optimise have established dedicated e-commerce
forecasts a 5.2% annual growth rate for space within cargo containers and build facilities to handle the influx of small
African air cargo traffic over the next five unit load devices (ULDs) efficiently, parcels and packages efficiently. In March
years (2024-2029). leading to faster handling, potentially 2024, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's biggest

28 LUA MAY - JUNE 2024