Air Cargo Management

Air Partner expansion gathers pace as South Africa freight office opens

Air Partner

Air Partner recently established its first physical presence in Africa by opening a freight office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The office is providing localised support to clients within the region and is seen by the private charter and freight aviation solutions company as a “natural next step” in its global expansion strategy.

Recently-appointed cargo sales manager Fred Du Plessis is overseeing the expansion. He is a veteran of the freight charter and aviation security sector, with experience of developing clientele in Africa.

UK-headquartered Air Partner is working alongside local freight forwarders to expand its ‘Air Partner Charter’ and ‘On Board Courier’ business in the region.

Du Plessis commented: “Africa is fast becoming a growth market for air freight, and the industry has seen an increasing demand for services in the region, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reporting a 7.4 per cent increase in freight volumes last year.

“By establishing Air Partner in Johannesburg, we will be ideally placed to support new and existing clients plan and execute their freight operations seamlessly, whether domestic or international.”

Air Partner’s group director of freight Mike Hill added: “Having served the African market only remotely up until now, this is an important milestone for Air Partner. We’re excited to expand with a physical presence in the African region, and I am delighted that we have found exactly the right person to lead the way for us in the local market. Fred’s past career in freight handling and aircraft charter operations is second to none, and he brings very valuable experience to the wider Air Partner team.”

As reported, Air Partner also recently expanded its freight services in Asia Pacific.

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