Airlink Cargo
Airlink Cargo is a division of SA Airlink (Pty) Ltd and provides air freight transport services to over 35 destinations across Southern Africa from its base at O. R. Tambo International Airport. The division was formed in 2011 after one British Aerospace Jetstream 41 passenger aircraft belonging to parent company Airlink was converted for freight operations, followed the next year by a second aircraft. Freight is also carried on Airlink Cargo's behalf by Airlink and Swaziland Airlink across the region. Airlink Cargo is headquartered on the grounds of their hub near Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Founded | 2011 | ||||||
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Hubs | O. R. Tambo International Airport | ||||||
Fleet size | 2 | ||||||
Destinations | 38 | ||||||
Headquarters | Foreign Airlines Cargo Terminal O. R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa | ||||||
Key people | Rodger Foster (CEO and Managing Director) | ||||||
Website | www |
History and services
The idea of an all-cargo airline service was proposed in early 2010 by the Airlink board and implemented in late 2011.[1] Growing passenger demand at Airlink had resulted in insufficient space for cargo on board the airline's BAe Jetstream 41 aircraft. Passenger growth predictions forced the airline to convert two such aircraft for cargo operations only to satisfy demand for a quick and efficient regional air freight operation.[1] A decision was also taken to convert all 16 of the airline's J41 aircraft for cargo operations after their retirement from passenger service, as a result of rapid growth in the regional freight market.[1] The division offers transport services for general goods and services, live animals, dangerous goods, perishables and fragile, valuable and vulnerable cargo.[2] They also offer customers an express service for transport within South Africa.[3] All Airlink Cargo customers are able to track their shipment through the division's website.[4]
Destinations
Airlink Cargo serves the following destinations as of February 2016, operated by Airlink and Swaziland Airlink:[5]
- Beira – Beira Airport
- Nampula - Nampula Airport
- Pemba - Pemba Airport
- Tete - Chingozi Airport
- Vilanculos - Vilankulo Airport
- Bloemfontein – Bloemfontein Airport
- Cape Town – Cape Town International Airport
- Durban – King Shaka International Airport
- East London – East London Airport
- George – George Airport
- Johannesburg – O.R. Tambo International Airport Hub
- Kimberley – Kimberley Airport
- Mthatha - Mthatha Airport
- Nelspruit - Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
- Phalaborwa - Hendrik Van Eck Airport
- Pietermaritzburg - Pietermaritzburg Airport
- Polokwane - Polokwane International Airport
- Port Elizabeth – Port Elizabeth Airport
- Sishen - Sishen Airport
- Skukuza - Skukuza Airport
- Upington - Upington Airport
- Jamestown - St Helena Airport
- Georgetown - RAF Ascension Island
- Manzini - King Mswati III International Airport
- Livingstone - Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport
- Lusaka – Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
- Ndola - Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
- Bulawayo – Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
- Harare – Harare International Airport
- Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls Airport
Fleet
Aircraft | In service | Notes |
---|---|---|
Jetstream 41 | 2 | Older aircraft from the Airlink fleet to be added to the Airlink Cargo fleet upon retirement. |
Total | 2 |
Airlink and Swaziland Airlink carry cargo on board passenger flights for Airlink Cargo.
- Airlink operates a mix of 17 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft, 11 Embraer ERJ 140, 3 Embraer 170 aircraft, 11 Embraer 190 aircraft, 7 BAe Jetstream 41 aircraft and 4 Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.[6]
- Swaziland Airlink operates 1 Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft.[7]
References
- WildWeb Marketing. "New Freighter Operation". airlinkcargo.co.za. Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- "Airlink Cargo". airlinkcargo.co.za. Archived from the original on 2015-05-23. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- "Airlink Cargo". airlinkcargo.co.za. Archived from the original on 2016-05-21. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- "Airlink Cargo Shipments Tracking by Air Waybill 749-12345675 - Wheremy.com". wheremy.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- "Airlink Cargo". airlinkcargo.co.za. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- "Airlink Fleet Details and History". planespotters.net. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- "Swaziland Airlink Fleet Details and History". planespotters.net. Retrieved 22 July 2016.