ZAMBIA, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the most affected in terms of capacity due to the flight restrictions that were imposed on the region at the outset of the covid Omicron variant, reports London's Loadstar.
Most cargo from Zambia typically moves on passenger services with regular scheduled services operated by Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and S.
Typically, in the Zambian context, monthly passenger numbers rise by 25 per cent in December each year, but in the aftermath of the flight restrictions from the Omicron variant December 2021 saw a fall in aircraft handling, with a 36 per cent dip in monthly passenger numbers, and overall, 64 per cent less than the pre-Covid passenger levels.
Jonathan Lewis, managing director at NAC2000, the only ISAGO (IATA's Safety Audit of Ground Operations) in Zambia reported that cargo had been adversely affected, down by 15 per cent in December compared to pre-Covid, but strikingly January 2022 was down 40 per cent, its lowest in seven years.
Mr Lewis explained that costs went up as players monopolised routes, drowning out the usual strong demand for perishable exports - but not the premium in freight charges.
'Knee-jerk reactions are very dangerous to our export freight supply chain that supports the perishable exports industry. If it is damaged by an unfeasible supply chain, it will take years to recover - or they could lose their businesses all together.'
Looking ahead, Mr Lewis believed the sector should be looking at sustained, stable growth at manageable rates, otherwise the ever-important flora and horticulture export industry for one will face even more challenges in the future.
'My concern is the pace at which this will happen for air freight regionally,' said Mr Lewis. 'I believe that there is potential to leap forward the pace of this trade and development through air freight, especially for perishable and urgent cargo.'
Mr Lewis reckoned the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will have less impact for air freight without deliberate implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), and developing more point-to-point routes within the region and continent.
'It would be advantageous for Africa's air transport industry stakeholders to get in on this forecasted movement of cargo with competitive rates, capacity and routes,' he said.
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Most cargo from Zambia typically moves on passenger services with regular scheduled services operated by Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and S.
Typically, in the Zambian context, monthly passenger numbers rise by 25 per cent in December each year, but in the aftermath of the flight restrictions from the Omicron variant December 2021 saw a fall in aircraft handling, with a 36 per cent dip in monthly passenger numbers, and overall, 64 per cent less than the pre-Covid passenger levels.
Jonathan Lewis, managing director at NAC2000, the only ISAGO (IATA's Safety Audit of Ground Operations) in Zambia reported that cargo had been adversely affected, down by 15 per cent in December compared to pre-Covid, but strikingly January 2022 was down 40 per cent, its lowest in seven years.
Mr Lewis explained that costs went up as players monopolised routes, drowning out the usual strong demand for perishable exports - but not the premium in freight charges.
'Knee-jerk reactions are very dangerous to our export freight supply chain that supports the perishable exports industry. If it is damaged by an unfeasible supply chain, it will take years to recover - or they could lose their businesses all together.'
Looking ahead, Mr Lewis believed the sector should be looking at sustained, stable growth at manageable rates, otherwise the ever-important flora and horticulture export industry for one will face even more challenges in the future.
'My concern is the pace at which this will happen for air freight regionally,' said Mr Lewis. 'I believe that there is potential to leap forward the pace of this trade and development through air freight, especially for perishable and urgent cargo.'
Mr Lewis reckoned the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will have less impact for air freight without deliberate implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), and developing more point-to-point routes within the region and continent.
'It would be advantageous for Africa's air transport industry stakeholders to get in on this forecasted movement of cargo with competitive rates, capacity and routes,' he said.
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