AfricaReport Volga-Dnepr moves hydrants


Russian cargo charter operator Volga-Dnepr Airlines recently undertook the transportation of two hydrant dispensers for air- craft refuelling from Ancona in Italy to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, using one of the carri- er’s IL-76TD-90VD freighters. Each of the hydrant dis-


pensers being moved weighed 5 tonnes and measured over 7 metres in length. The equipment was driven


onto the large freighter on trucks and the loading opera- tion was completed with the assistance of aircraft winches. Volga-Dnepr carried out the flight on behalf


of UK-headquartered Chartersphere. Alexander Kartashev, Volga-Dnepr Airlines engineering and logistics manager, said: “Chartersphere is an


important customer for us and ... its representa- tives are closely involved in all aspects of shipment planning, preparation and perfor- mance. Their assistance and support is important to us, particularly in terms of prepar- ing the cargo for carriage.”


Siginon Group has plans for future growth


“Kenya is a leading market for import and export of perish- able products such as flowers, pharma products and so on, which need fast and reliable means of transport,” observes Grace Obuki, divisional man- ager at Siginon Aviation –part of the Siginon Group of freight forwarders. “Nairobi is a major busi-


ness hub for most countries in the East and Central Africa region. Air freight has there- fore gained prominence due to the availability of air trans- port and Nairobi’s unique position as a hub being served from all directions by major world car- riers operating into Kenya,” she outlined. However, the rising cost of air freight pre-


opment of the country as more importers choose to outsource their supply chain to logistics firms.” With offices in Mombasa,


Nairobi, Eldoret, Dar es Salaam and Kampala, Sigi- non’s customer base is drawn from across East Africa – and there are plans to grow its coverage right across the African continent. The company is building a


Obuki notes Nairobi’s “unique” position as a hub


new US$10 million air cargo terminal at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International airport. The 15,000m2


include general warehousing


sents a challenge to the industry, with cheaper sea freight options becoming more attractive. Still, Obuki is confident of Siginon’s sur-


vival. She said: “We expect freight forwarders to continue playing a central role in the devel-


and a specialist perishables handling facility. Construction is to begin this month (May) and the building is scheduled for completion in July 2013, Obuki confirmed. nSiginon Group recently rebranded to oper- ate four business divisions – Siginon Aviation, Siginon Global Logistics, Kencont CFS and Sig- inon Terminal Operations.


Kenya Airways enjoys 4.1 percent rise in cargo


Cargo tonnage carried by Kenya Airways in the first three months of this year registered a 4.1 percent improvement on the same period in 2011, with 14,909 tonnes uplifted. The airline said the result


signified an improved business environment and an increased sales drive by employees and agents. Capacity into the Mid- dle East, Far East and India regions grew mainly on the Mumbai and Bangkok - Hong Kong routes. Capacity being offered into Europe by the


Nairobi-headquartered carrier was lower to Rome, due to an equipment downgrade from B767 equipment to the smaller B737 aircraft, and to London as a result of a reduction in flight frequencies. The airline intends to increase its fleet – the


first of nine B787 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft is due to arrive in 2013 – and will target mostly Africa


of space will


and Asia markets, which have shown high


growth potential. n The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is to acquire 7.4 percent of Kenya Airways in a share issue as the carrier targets Sh182.5 billion (US$2.2 billion) from banks over the next five years to buy new aircraft and support its expansion plan.


BRIEFS • BRIEFS • BRIEFS • BRIEFS


UPS FLEWmore than 46 tonnes of UNICEF relief supplies from Cologne to Mauritania on 22 April, bringing items for nutrition, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene to victims of malnu- trition in the country.


SAUDI AIRLINES CARGO launched a weekly B747 freighter service to Accra on 25 March, rep- resenting a further expansion of the carrier’s reach into the African market.


SWISSPORT International has been awarded licences to provide handling services at Morocco’s international airports, including Casablanca and Marrakech.


ON 15 APRIL, EgyptAir resumed direct flights between Cairo and Tokyo, serving the route with a B777-300ER at a twice-weekly frequency. The carrier had suspended the service in March last year.


Page 10


7 May 2012


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