KENYA AIRWAYS, KLM CARGO & MARTINAIR CARGO ESTABLISH JOINT SALES AND SERVICE ORGANIZATION IN AFRICA

Kenya Airways (KQ), KLM (KL) and Martinair (MP) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint sales and service organization in Nairobi. The new entity will offer the Kenyan and African market professional cargo services, using Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as a hub. The KQ Intra African capacity will be integrally linked to the daily intercontinental flights operated by the three owner airlines.

The new company will be operational as of January, 2001. Peter Scholten of Martinair Cargo has been appointed project Manager for the period and will also take the responsibilities of Managing Director during the first year. The name of the joint entity, in which Kenya Airways holds a 60% majority stake, will be announced before the market launch.

The head office will be situated at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the major hub in Africa with daily passenger or freighter flights of all three partners. In addition, offices will be opened in Johannesburg, Lagos and Dubai and GSA’s will be appointed at other network points. CARGOAL, KLM Cargo’s booking and operational system, will be used for customer services and operational purposes.

The new company will tailor its services according to market needs, seek to build new markets in Africa and will pro-actively participate in the relief goods and ad-hoc charter market within the region. With Nairobi as the central hub the partners are able to offer Europe-Africa v.v., the Middle East/India-Africa v.v. and a wide range of Intra Africa routes. The organization will lease in intra Africa freighters, with the intention of growing into a cargo airline in the coming years. It is envisaged that aircraft of medium size will be deployed (15-40 tons).

The joint network consists of tail ends from Nairobi to 29 countries in Africa mostly in Comesa, a free trade zone within Africa comprising of 20 countries. An impressive network of African markets combined with the joint strength of Kenya Airways, KLM Cargo and Martinair Cargo form a unique opportunity for the new regional sales & services organization in the fast growing cargo market in East, Central and Southern Africa. The upcoming markets in this area will be able to rely on scheduled services, providing excellent possibilities for trade development.