27th February 2013, Johannesburg

  27^th February 2013, Johannesburg- The second biennial international air logistics conference and exhibition, Air Cargo Africa, held in South Africa, from 20 to 22 February 2013 at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg’s East Rand, gathered a record number of 413 global industry decision makers as registered delegates and lured an impressive number of 2865 visitors from 27 countries across Africa and 24 countries from other continents to explore business prospects.

 The event garnered great support from the City of Ekurhuleni, which is home to the busiest airport in Africa, OR Tambo International Airport. Over the next five years the City has planned to optimise the existence of the airport in its space together with other key development nodes and build it into an aerotroplolis that will define the future of aviation for Africa. Member of Mayoral Committee for Public Transport, Planning and Provision, Clr Thumbu Mahlangu of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality inaugurated the event.

 Burning industry issues were put on the agenda and the thought provoking deliberations sent airport administrators, freight forwarders and airline operators home with solutions for implementation.

 Air cargo plays a significant role in the global economy yet the African continent still remains an untapped market. The challenges that prevent air cargo from being a recognisable industry in the continent and across the globe include supply-chain efficiency, infrastructure development, security enhancement, technology advancement and simplification of operations.

 Priyo Patra, Director of Events and Marketing of STAT Media Group, said, “It has been estimated that the industry will grow by 5.2 % in 2031 and Asia will be a major driver of this growth”.

 For an industry that operates on survival rather than focusing on the future, the estimated growth is insignificant and has potential to be elevated. The future is Africa and the following solutions will enable the development of this market: 

·       African airlines need to start taking themselves seriously by conducting their businesses professionally

·       Infrastructure investment in Africa should come from more countries in addition to China

·       The industry must adopt e-Freight for easier tracking and clearing processes

·       The air waybill system that slows the clearing process should be eliminated

·       Operational charges must be reduces in order to invite participation from more airlines, including small operators

 Mr. Patra emphasised, “Air cargo is the oil that greases the world economy and we need to continue to find ways to grow the industry”.

 Air Cargo Africa also hosted the STAT Times International Awards for excellence in air cargo. The awards that took place as part of the Gala Award Night were instituted in various sectors of the air cargo industry. . The South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Minister Malusi Gigaba was the keynote speaker for the award night. The Department of Public Enterprises manages South Africa’s state owned enterprises including national carrier, South African Airways. The Lifetime Achievement Award awarded for meritorious service of excellence in the air cargo industry was awarded to Mr Issa Baluch, Chairman of Africa Atlantic Holdings Limited (Dubai) and 37-year veteran of the freight forwarding industry. The second most coveted award of the night was where Emirates SkyCargo emerged as winner for the Global Cargo Airline of the year. 

 Gatherings such as Air Cargo Africa 2013 provide a significant platform for global cargo industries to engage on pertinent issues affecting the sector. They also enable access to investment and trade opportunities.

 About Air Cargo Africa 2013:

 AIR CARGO AFRICA 2013 took place from 20-22 February 2013 at Emperors Palace, Central Court Casino Convention in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg. The event had South African Airways as its ‘Diamond Sponsor’, Swissport Cargo Services and Africa Flight Services as ‘Platinum Sponsors’, as well as Airports Company South Africa, Dube TradePort and Liege Airport as ‘Gold Sponsors’. Etihad Cargo and Miami Airport supported as Silver Sponsors.

 There was a total of 77 prominent exhibitors which included Cologne Bonn Airport with Sponsorship Scheme and South African Airlines Cargo, DHL, Africa Flight Services, ARAMEX, Vulkan Air, Qatar Airways Cargo, Delta Cargo, Saudi Airlines Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Brussels Airport, Maximus Air, LuxAir CARGO, Air Logistics Group, Air Menzies International, Lynden Air Cargo, CARGOLUX, Astra Aviation, TURKISH CARGO, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Air Logistics Group, Siginon Aviation, Swissport, Chateauroux Airport, BidAir Cargo, Kenya Airways Cargo, Air Mauritius Cargo, CFR Freight, Astral Aviation, OR Tambo International Airport, Airline Services International, Global Aviation Holdings- World Airways, Ruslan International, Procet Freight, RUS Aviation, Coyne Airways, Chapman Freeborn, Network Airline Services, Amerijet International Airline, Manston Airport, MH Aviation Services, Hannover Airport, MK Freight Systems, Airports Company South Africa, Air Atlanta Icelandic, Imperial Green Mobility, Intex Express international, IAG Cargo, Air Charter Service, Air Direct Connect, Stuttgart Airport, Kungorock Express, HISSCO, IDV Systems, TLD Europe, Hermes Logistics Technologies, Hans Infomatic, Airline Cargo Resources, ATC Aviation Services, Lufthansa Cargo, Compu-Clearing, SACO Airport Equipment, Colson Europe, Airlink Cargo, Safair Operations, Boeing, ICM Airport Technics, Liege Airport, Avient Airlines, National Air Cargo, Globelink China Logistics, South African Association of Freight Forwarders and International Air Transport Association (IATA). The event is also supported by its global media partners Air Cargo Week, Air Cargo News, Air Cargo Update, Cargo News Asia, Air Cargo World, Payload Asia and Logistics Update Africa.

 About the Organisers:

 STAT TIMES is an international multi-modal transport trade media, specializing in Air Cargo. STAT TIMES enjoys a worldwide readership of more than 42 000 amongst the high-profile leaders of the Transport & Logistics industry.

 It has been engaged in the dissemination of information in the field of the Air Cargo industry since its inception in 1986. STAT TIMES has been organizing the biennial international event AIR CARGO INDIA since 2006 in Mumbai, which has been hugely successful. It is now venturing into the land of opportunities, the African continent.



Inauguration of Air Cargo Africa 2013 by (l-r) South African Consul General to India, 
H. E. Mr. Pule Malefane,
Mr. R.K. Patra-Group Editor-in-Chief of STAT Media Group and Member of Mayoral Committee for Public Transport, Planning and Provision,
Clr Thumbu Mahlangu from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. 



Minister Malusi Gigaba (South African Minister of Public Enterprises),
R.K. Patra (Group Editor-in-Chief of STAT Media Group),
Ram Menen (Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo).

 For more information:

 Namrata More
Special Correspondent

STAT Media Group for Air Cargo Africa 2013

Email: namrata@stattimes.com

Web: www.stattimes.com/aca2013