An Emirates Boeing 777-300ER plane loading cargo at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. The new aircraft on the Durban-Dubai route has 90 percent more cargo-carrying capacity, which has boosted cargo numbers out of Dube TradePort.
The introduction of Emirates’ first commercial Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route between Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and Dubai from June 1 has already boosted cargo volumes by over 30 percent on the route.
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft replaced the smaller Airbus A330, which has resulted in higher passenger capacity and a 90 percent increase in cargo-carrying capacity.
According to Kum Naicker, cargo manager for southern Africa at Emirates SkyCargo, the increased capacity is proving popular among Durban businesses.
“Within just two months of introducing the bigger Boeing 777 aircraft, there has been a tremendous increase in the uptake |of cargo services on Emirates’ Durban-Dubai route.
“In this very short space of time, Emirates SkyCargo has experienced on average over 30 percent increase in cargo from the Durban gateway. Engineering tools, automobile and shipping parts as well as electronics, pharmaceuticals and leather goods still form the bulk of the export cargo from Durban,” he said.
“At this rate, we can expect to add more than 1 500 tons to the total cargo loads that we carried on this route in 2011,” said Naicker.
For freight forwarders the bigger Boeing 777 brings more than just greater capacity. The introduction of the aircraft also improves operating efficiency.
“The export of goods from Durban has improved tremendously due to the bigger 777 introduced by Emirates on the Durban route. However, it is in the handling of imports that we have made significant advances,” said Deno Moodlayiar, airfreight manager at Durban-based DB Schenker.
“Before the new aircraft came into use, the availability of cargo space for imports was always a problem. We often had to import cargo to Johannesburg and then transport it by truck to where it is actually intended in Durban. The Emirates Boeing 777 with its bigger cargo capacity has completely resolved this problem and enables us to get our cargo to our customers two to three days earlier than it normally would take,” he said.
Petko Atanassov, senior manager of cargo development, operations and security at Dube TradePort, echoed his sentiments.
“Imports to Dube TradePort have shot through the roof ever since Emirates introduced the |new aircraft to King Shaka International. Our cargo throughput has increased significantly and this has greatly stimulated cargo handling activity at the port,” he said.
“The continued commitment from the airline to Durban is praiseworthy,” he added. “We are confident they will keep on introducing products to cater for our growing market and our endeavour to become the region’s leading trade hub.”
Naicker said Emirates had realised the growth in demand for cargo services from Durban and surrounding areas. “A vibrant cargo industry, from both an export and import perspective, is indicative of a lively economy,” he said.
Emirates would continue to support Durban’s growing status as a major trade hub and update services in a manner to help and accelerate this growth.
