Page 12 - LUA September - October 2023 Magzter

INDUSTRY REPORT

the heightened demand for specialised
cargo transport solutions. These factors
collectively propel the expansion of the
chartered air transport market,” said Wyk.

TRENDING TECHNOLOGY
]In today’s modern world, every success
and growth is linked to technology. Thus,
one of the reasons for a growing charter
service is also technology. Innovative
additions to the charter service portals are
a significant trend driving the evolution
of the air charter market. Many charter “Naturally the access to capacity at the
businesses are working to improve their right price and speed will continue to be
digital client experience and optimise the the name of the game. The need for more
booking process with real-time data. sustainable solutions will continue to grow
“As in every other market, technology and that will push for a quicker change
will continue to be a driver for the chartered in the fleet available. There are also a few
air transportation service market’s growth good projects on the drone and unmanned
also in Africa. For example, old aircrafts cargo systems being developed. Africa
are constantly being replaced by more with its large number of remote areas and
efficient and reliable equipment, which In the next five years, often without big airports, could benefit
drives down the cost per hour flown and the air cargo charter from such solutions. Safety and security
it also brings reduction in CO2 emissions. are and will be top of the agenda, which
Newer and more efficient equipment for market is poised will impact the need to further invest in
ground services will reduce the turnaround for a revolutionary systems and infrastructure at the airports
times and reduce idle space on warehouses, transformation. These and terminals,” said Randig.
trucks, and aircraft, which ultimately reduce Chapman Freeborn also has strategic
the cost per tonne transported. The access changes will effectively plans for the cargo charter business in the
to high-speed internet across the continent address the shifting African market revolving around catering
will allow the adoption of new technologies demands of the to the escalating demand for customised
such as IoT and machine learning which cargo transport solutions.
will bring more transparency and access to industry, emphasising “To achieve this, we intend to offer
real-time information in every step of the speed, flexibility, and efficient and user-friendly booking
supply chain,” said Randig. operational efficiency platforms, ensure transparent cargo
Chapman Freeborn tripled its tracking capabilities, provide a wide
workforce in Africa in February 2023 as in an increasingly range of aircraft options, and introduce
the charter specialist prepares to celebrate dynamic market eco-friendly solutions. These initiatives
its 50th anniversary, owing to a 30% year- landscape. are designed to align with the growing
on-year increase in cargo revenues in the requirements of the flourishing African
region from 2021 to 2023. JENNY VAN WYK market for tailored and sustainable cargo
“In the African cargo charter industry, CHAPMAN FREEBORN transport services,” said Wyk.
we expect the incorporation of numerous “In the next five years, the air
cutting-edge technologies that will growth as industry players are looking at cargo charter market is poised for a
foster expansion. These encompass it as a potential market in the future. This revolutionary transformation. This
sophisticated fleet management software, is said because many industry players have evolution will be driven by the seamless
digital reservation systems, IoT cargo begun investing and setting up business in integration of advanced technologies,
sensors, blockchain for tracking, and Africa, which will become a big market in enabling real-time tracking of cargo,
aviation solutions aimed at enhancing the future. fostering sustainable operational
efficiency, customer ease, cargo protection, For example Kuehne+Nagel has been practices, and delivering unparalleled
transparency, and industry advancement,” serving the African market for decades and customer experiences. These changes will
said Wyk. has long-term own capacity contracts in effectively address the shifting demands
markets such as Kenya and South Africa. of the industry, emphasising speed,
CHARTER MARKET IN THE In addition, they have recently announced flexibility, and operational efficiency in an
NEXT 5 YEARS the acquisition of Morgan Cargo, a leading increasingly dynamic market landscape,”
The African charter market is poised for South African freight forwarder. said Wyk.

10 LUA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2023