Despite all problems surrounding the pandemic, high value South Island produce will be airfreighted all over the world. New Zealand fruit and produce will be among the many tasty delicacies.
Through the Government’s International Air Freight Capacity (IAFC) scheme, funding has been provided to airlines for freight flights to ensure our high value products get to the markets asking for them, as well as creating jobs for Kiwis as the produce is harvested, prepared and transported.
Christchurch Airport Chief Aeronautical and Commercial Officer, Justin Watson, says working with airlines and the Ministry of Transport to access the IAFC has helped boost the number of freight aircraft flying out of Christchurch Airport this summer.
“With summer being the South Island’s peak export season, we will see up to 30 flights a week operate out of Christchurch by Emirates, Air New Zealand, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Cathay Pacific taking our exports to the world,” Watson says.
“Before the borders closed, more than 90% of air freight was carried in the holds of passenger aircraft,” Watson adds. “When passenger aircraft stopped, the opportunity to get the perishable produce to the markets did as well. We supported the bid from airlines to deliver a network that satisfied the demands on services of our exporters and their freight forwarder partners.”
Source: voxy.co.nz
