Fast, flexible service into Africa

Achieving a quick turnaround, usually within 24 hours, and ensuring delivery into areas that are not easily accessible, is the goal of dedicated Johannesburg air freight company Batair Cargo, according to the company’s director, Lindy Brooks. Batair Cargo is based at and operates out of Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg. “We offer a fast and flexible air charter service into Africa, using aircraft that accommodate loads from 10 kilograms to 56 tonnes,” she said. “Basically, Batair Cargo specialises in very fast reaction emergency break down situations at mines. We fly small aircraft to site with either oversized cargo or nonhazardous dangerous goods cargo.” Brooks said the company strives to take off within 24 hours of confirmation of the flight. “It is a really handson company; we work with an amazing cargo-handling company at Lanseria called CHS, Cargo Handling Specialists, who process the cargo and load it. “As a team we face the challenges together, each focusing on our core business,” she said. “They (CHS) get the cargo on to the aircraft from the beginning of the process and we organise the flight and fly the cargo to destination. “Invariably our emergency air cargo charter flights occur when all other avenues to get the cargo to destination have failed. Thus, the client is already in a heightened state of anxiety.” Brooks said companies requiring charter services needed Batair to swiftly amend customs documentation, organise overflights and landing permits, which need to be obtained in less than hospitable areas, and ensure that the cargo was delivered, loaded and the flight dispatched. “To achieve this in less than 24 hours remains our major and enduring challenge,” said Brooks. Batair Cargo specialises in delivering emergency cargo to Zambia and the DRC, usually small but very heavy loads – ie. not suitable for transportation via traditional airlines, sometimes landing on mine airstrips or dirt or grass runways.