Jettainer has started its first entry into the African market this month after taking over unit load device (ULD) management operations for Equatorial Congo Airlines (ECAir).
The firm will supervise, maintain and manage containers for the African state owned carrier located in Brazzaville, in the capital of the Republic of the Congo.
ECAir has made the move after expanding its fleet to include several Boeing 767 aircraft, as it operates more routes.
Speaking on 25 February to Air Cargo Week (ACW) at the Air Cargo Africa (ACA) conference in Johannesburg, Jettainer public relations and marketing manager, Martin Kraemer, says operations have started well, and it will provide further opportunities on the continent. “ECAir is set to grow and is looking at Beirut and Dubai, so there should be further opportunities. They have momentum of growth, which should be good for us.”
Kraemer could not give an exact figure of how many ULDs it is handling, but believes it is more than 50, which are a mix of passenger baggage and general cargo.
ECAir chief executive officer, Fatima Beyina-Moussa, explains: “This is in support of the objective for ECAir to become the prime airline in the sub region of Africa.
“We are certain that Jettainer will meet the challenge in our continued growth. ECAir will be operating a total of nine new destinations in Africa, a daily flight to Paris, Dubai and soon also to Beirut.”
Jettainer is also speaking to other airlines at the Air Cargo Africa show, exploring possible opportunities, as it eyes further growth in Africa.
Kraemer tells ACW he cannot mention exact names, simply saying to look around at carriers present such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airlines and the numerous others present at ACA.
He adds: “A couple of big carriers, growing airlines, are interested, and we are aiming to build a bigger network here.”
Kraemer says: “The African market is of very great importance to us. We see a lot of potential for growth and aim to continue the market development at ACA. The potential is under estimated in Africa and it will grow and be huge for the cargo market and for airlines.”
