Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN ground handler Aviation Ground Services (AGS) hosted its inaugural Cargo Stakeholders Forum in Harare on Monday, bringing together key regional aviation and logistics players to discuss how to unlock the country’s air freight potential.
Held at a city hotel under the theme, “Unlocking Zimbabwe’s Air Cargo Potential: Streamlining Trade, Driving Growth, and the Next Era of Zimbabwean Air Freight,” the forum reviewed the current state of Zimbabwe’s air cargo market and explored strategies to help the sector compete more effectively with regional leaders.
In remarks delivered on her behalf, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, said air cargo would play an important role in supporting economic growth and helping the country achieve its Vision 2030 targets under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“The government has prioritised the development of airport infrastructure across the country. These modern facilities can connect Zimbabwe to regional and international markets through the efficient movement of air cargo,” Eng Makumbe said.
She added that the ministry was ready to work with AGS in supporting and reviewing policies aimed at growing Zimbabwe’s air cargo industry.
Dr Alexandra Stancu, IATA’s Head of Southern and East Africa, also presented on Zimbabwe’s potential in the air cargo sector, outlining immediate opportunities the country could pursue to accelerate growth.
During a panel discussion titled, “Monetising the Skies: Maximising Airline Capacity and Commercialising Air Freight Services,” Astral Aviation Chief Executive Officer Sanjiv Gadhia said Zimbabwe had promising export traffic but needed a more sustainable cargo proposition.
“We currently operate into Harare on an ad hoc basis for tobacco, flowers and blueberries. We need to develop a strong cargo product for Zimbabwe that is not reliant on belly cargo movement through Johannesburg,” Mr Gadhia said.
He also highlighted the imbalance in cargo flows into Zimbabwe and called for closer industry collaboration to ensure operators have viable loads in both directions.
