KwaZulu-Natal’s First Commercial International Air-Freight Delivery

 Dube TradePort welcomes the arrival of KwaZulu-Natal’s first commercial international air-freight delivery.
20 June 2010

On 20 June 2010, Durban’s new King Shaka International Airport’s (KSIA) cargo terminal at Dube TradePort (DTP), will welcome its first international air-delivery when a fully-loaded Emirates Skycargo freighter Boeing 747-700 touches down in the early hours of Sunday morning. The arrival officially marks the dawn of an era for international air-trade through KwaZulu-Natal and the African region.

For Ricky Isaac, Durban Cargo Manager for Emirates SkyCargo, “Today’s freighter operation is a milestone for Emirates SkyCargo and its partners WFS and DTP as it is the first international commercial freighter aircraft of its size into the new King Shaka International Airport. The increased capability of the new airport and cargo terminal bodes well for the future expansion of the air-freight industry in KwaZulu-Natal, and Emirates SkyCargo looks forward to being an integral part of this future growth.”

On arrival, the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747-700 will be full to its 117 tonnes capacity and will bring much-needed general merchandise which has been delayed due to recent port congestion. The Boeing is one of the most advanced long-range freighter planes in the world. The plane includes oversized doors and a spacious cargo-hold which allows for a greater ability to transport outsized shipments as well as independently controlled air-conditioned zones which safely ensure the transport of goods with different storage requirements. In addition, the Boeing 747-700 is proudly environmentally aware by being 50% quieter and significantly lower in emissions than its predecessors.

The Dube TradePort Cargo terminal hosts an impressive array of technologies and support systems to ensure KZN reconnects with the international trade arena and boasts an infrastructure that meets both domestic and international freight needs. The Cargo Terminal at Dube TradePort is the first in the world to use one air handler, leading international cargo company Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), thereby increasing security and control at the terminal.

Additional state-of-the-art services provided at the Dube Tradeport are: trading facilities which are designed to recapture international freight previously re-routed through OR Tambo International Airport and to actively generate new investment in future air-freight related commerce; commerce support facilities that include office parks, hotels and specialist conference venues; agricultural export services which include facilities for import and export of high-yield, time-sensitive horticultural produce; and an information technology infrastructure that ensures world-class transport, security and freight enabling services.

According to Dube TradePort’s Aeronautica Project Executive, Ahmed Bassa, the “arrival of this freighter to KSIA vindicates our efforts and belief that the development of this airport and its support infrastructure has been a good investment for growing trade in our province.”

The focus on vital quality infrastructure provisions and service delivery excellence at Dube TradePort has propelled KwaZulu-Natal’s international air-freight positioning into the world market. With the arrival of the first Emirates Skycargo freight delivery, KwaZulu-Natal will be introduced to a future rich with international trade and commerce.