Transport News
IATA and Somalia sign aviation cooperation agreement
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the representative body of the global airline industry, and the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia signed a cooperation agreement on Monday. This would serve to formalise and deepen their cooperation, in order to strengthen aviation’s socioeconomic benefits to the country. The agreement was signed by Somali Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Fardowsa Osman Egal and IATA regional VP Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi. “Aviation is essential to the success of Somalia’s development plans,” affirmed Egal. “The Government of Somalia is committed to developing its air transport sector to help promote long-term social and economic growth in the country. And we will ensure that global best practices are at the core of development. This agreement will pave the way for closer cooperation on the priorities for aviation in the country.”
Shoprite, Coca-Cola, Burger King and others urge Ramaphosa to halt fuel taxes
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) on Tuesday advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to ditch the sugar tax, along with suspend the fuel responsibility and road mishap fund levies for the industry amidst record levels of load shedding. In an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa – sent on behalf of the CEOs of Shoprite, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Tiger Brands, Burger King, British American Tobacco, Walmart-owned Massmart, Steers-owner Famous Brands and others – the CGCSA says that load shedding has "" escalated catastrophically" " and was crippling businesses.
South Africa’s coal export snags worsen as rail shipments slump
Rail interruptions on the essential line to Africa’s biggest coal-export terminal are magnifying, choking off over half the fuel the facility is capable of shipping. Deliveries to Richards Bay Coal Terminal on South Africa’s east coast dropped to a three-decade low of 50.4-million lots in 2022 as armed gangs undermined the line and rail operator Transnet had a hard time to keep cargoes flowing. Given that the start of the year, the rate of shipments has dropped further to a rate of 44-million lots, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be recognized due to the fact that the info isn’t public.
Durban Car Terminal sets new monthly record for imports handled
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has announced a new record for imported cars handled in a month at the Durban Car Terminal in January. The terminal billed 77 297 units, exceeding the budgeted volumes by 24% and beating the 72 684-unit record set in September last year.
M4 highway rehabilitation work gets under way
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says rehab work has actually begun on the M4 Inkosi Albert Luthuli highway southbound carriageway. The cost of restoring the freeway, between Anton Lembede street (Smith Street) and Pascoe/Reunion roadway, will be simply over R121-million and it is expected to take 10 months to finish. According to Kaunda, transportation and road infrastructure are the financial lifeline of any city and that it was a pleasure for the municipality to witness the beginning of such a …
Boeing delivers last ever 747 Jumbo jet
On Tuesday, United States aerospace giant Boeing delivered the last-ever 747, marking completion of the production of one of the most crucial types in industrial air travel history. The first-ever wide-body airliner, it changed the economics of flight, altering the sector permanently. The 747 made its very first flight on February 9, 1969, and made its very first profits flight (from New York to London) on January 21, 1970. The airline company that purchased it and was the very first to operate it was the once-iconic today …
Sanral says construction tenders in KZN, Eastern Cape help with economic recovery
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has awarded 4 major building and construction tenders jointly worth almost R7-billion for projects in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, which will assist increase the building and construction sector and should be viewed as part of the wider nationwide effort by government to invest in financial facilities, it stated. Furthermore, in line with its dedication to the economic development of black services, at least 30% of the agreement worth of each tender will be farmed out to little, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs).
Kenyan carriers enter a first-in-Africa air cargo agreement
Two Kenyan airlines announced on Tuesday the first air cargo codesharing agreement to be established in Africa. The two are the public-private partnership national flag carrier Kenya Airways (specifically, its cargo unit, KQ Cargo) and private sector dedicated air cargo operator Astral Aviation. The codeshare agreement is aimed at stimulating trade between the continent and the Middle East. “KQ Cargo and Astral Aviation have had a long-standing commercial cooperation for the past 20 years, and this partnership is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen collaboration and partnerships amongst African airlines and to boost intercontinental trade while driving sustainable development of the African continent,” pointed out Kenya Airways Cargo director Dick Murianki.
UD Trucks’ sales growth outpaces industry-wide sales growth
Truck maker UD Trucks Southern Africa achieved a sales growth rate more than double that of industry-wide sales development for 2022, MD Filip van den Heede revealed at press junket, in Johannesburg, on January 31. According to Naamsa|the Automotive Business Council, sales of both medium heavy trucks and industrial vehicles and busses increased by almost 12%, being available in at a total of about 30 249 systems offered in 2022, compared with the 26 969 units offered in 2021.
Cathay Pacific to resume direct flights to South Africa
Hong Kong airline company Cathay Pacific revealed on Monday that it was going to resume direct flights between the Chinese area and South Africa. The service will restart on August 2, and be operated three times a week, with Johannesburg being the South African terminal. “We are eager to not only welcome our clients from South Africa to experience our warm Asian culture, however likewise the comfort and performance when taking a trip onboard the Airbus A350-900,” highlights Cathay Pacific Regional Marketing and Sales Head: South Asia, Middle East and Africa Anand Yedery. “With the removal of travel constraints into Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, and with our connections to popular Asian destinations, we can help consumers to satisfy all their travel plans– whether it is to reunite with their loved ones or take that much-awaited holiday or for service.”