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IAG Cargo extends reach to South Africa, boosting fresh fruit load

IAG CARGO has announced the launch of a thrice B777-200 Cape Town service from London Gatwick and from November 24 an additional service will be running throughout the winter schedule.

This route supplements the thrice weekly A330-300 Madrid-Johannesburg service to start on August 1 and the existing London Heathrow-Cape Town and Johannesburg services.

The new Cape Town route brings flights to the country from both IAG's London and Madrid hubs to 27 per week by the end of the year, offering a weekly lift of 440 tonnes into South Africa.

Over the past 12 months IAG Cargo has seen volumes of mangoes, avocadoes and pineapples, as well as floriculture to perform well out of South Africa.

"Through IAG Cargo's Madrid hub, the forthcoming Johannesburg route will help to better link Africa with strategic markets, such as Latin America," said IAG Cargo commercial chief David Shepherd.

Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) figures show that the Middle East, the European Union and the US were major importers from South Africa.

Fifty-five per cent of South Africa's subtropical fruit including avocados, mangoes, pineapples, and passion fruit was exported to the EU last year.

IAG Cargo supports exports looking to enter these markets through Constant Fresh, the business' fast solution for the transportation of perishable goods.

This new development augments IAG Cargo's existing route into South Africa, which helps to better connect customers to more than 350 destinations on IAG Cargo's global network.