Aviation Destination 2013 - South Africa

Press Release, June 26, 2012

AVIATION DESTINATION 2013 - SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST BACK TO BACK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION EVENTS –

‘Air Cargo Africa 2013’ in February & 69TH IATA AGM/WATS in June 2013

South Africa, the official member of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa group), has incited the interest of many of the economically advanced countries across the world as an ‘investment’ hub so as to tap the plethora of business opportunities the continent has in its store, especially in the Aviation Sector.

Due to its rapid growth, the South African Aviation Industry has remained as one of the most sought after industry for the major stake-holders. The aviation and aerospace sectors contribute about ZAR51 billion (approx USD 6,07 billion) which is equal to 2.1% of South Africa’s GDP. This contribution, without an iota of doubt, will only escalate with the passage of time.

To underline the importance of the aviation industry in the country, the year 2013 will witness two major international aviation events: the second edition of ‘AIR CARGO AFRICA 2013’ in Johannesburg, hosted by internationally acclaimed aviation media – The STAT Trade Times and the 69 th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in Cape Town . The former will be held in the month of February and latter in June 2013.

Both the events will be attended by a host of internationally reputed players of the industry and are destined to be milestones in the Aviation history of the country. Whilst the ‘AIR CARGO AFRICA 2013’ event, which has been in the focus of the industry since its announcement, will provide a platform for the players from the industry across of the world to come together to form a vision for furthering their common and individual interests in the South African Air Cargo sector, the IATA AGM and WATS will draw the global industry’s attention to the tremendous opportunities in South Africa as trade and tourism links are being strengthened within the continent and to new and traditional markets beyond.

According to Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of IATA “South Africa will be a great location for the AGM and WATS in 2013. Air connectivity is key to South Africa’s economic success, contributing 2.1% to the country’s GDP. Along with supporting South Africa’s strong tourism sector, air connectivity plays a critical role in maximizing growth opportunities arising from South Africa’s BRICS membership and the burgeoning African economy,”

The AIR CARGO AFRICA 2013 held the attention of the industry ever since its announcement due to its proven credibility through its highly accredited and successfully conducted predecessor ‘AIR CARGO AFRICA 2011’ held at Kenya, in show casing the latent opportunities that remain untapped in the African Air Cargo sector which was provided with coverage by the BBC World News

“The fact that IATA has chosen South Africa as the venue for its AGM and WATS adds credibility to our choice to elect the region as venue for our event too. The events are complementary from the aviation point of view as the events, together, would provide a podium for the players of the industry across the world to chalk out a broad plan of action for furtherance of the country’s already booming aviation industry. The events, in addition, would also facilitate South Africa’s integration into the global air transport network by opening up foreign markets to South African exports and expeditious adoption of new business practices such as just-in-time inventory management that relies on quick and reliable delivery of essential supplies” said Priyo Patra, the Director of STAT Media Group. About AIR CARGO AFRICA 2013

The event as on date has South African Airways as its ‘Diamond Sponsor’, Swissport Cargo Services and Worldwide Flight Services as ‘Platinum Sponsors’, OR Tambo International Airport as ‘Gold Sponsor’ and Emirates SkyCargo, Turkish Cargo, South African Airways Cargo, Kenya Airways Cargo, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Compu-Clearing, Etihad Cargo, Brussels Airport, Maximus Air, Amerijet International, ATC Aviation, Swissport International, Saudi Airlines Cargo, Worldwide Flight Services, Air Link Cargo, Boeing, Liege Airport, Thai Cargo, Airline Services International, Vulkan Air, Air Cargo Resources, Cargolux, SAFAIR, Astral Aviation, Air Menzies International, Aero- Link Consulting, Air Logistics Group, Infratil Airports, Qatar Airways Cargo, Air charter Service, Avient Airlines, Delta Cargo, Liege Airport, Lufthansa Cargo Charter, National Air cargo, Air Mauritius Cargo, BidAir Cargo, Cargo Flash, Network Airline Services, Astra Aviation Services and Chapman Freeborn Air Chartering, Siginon Freight Ltd, Air Atlanta Icelandic, CFR Freight and Global Aviation Holdings as privileged Exhibitors. The event is also supported by its global media partners Air Cargo Week, Air Cargo News, Air Cargo Update, Cargo News Asia, Air Cargo World, Payload Asia and Logistics Update Africa.

About the Organiser

The event is organized by The STAT Trade Times, popularly known as STAT Times, an Integrated International Transport Media specializing in Air Cargo since 1986, which is a part of the group of publications owned by STAT MEDIA GROUP, which also publishes Logistics Update Africa, a bimonthly magazine focusing on Logistics & transport industry of Africa, Indian Transport & Logistics News¸ the only authentic analytical logistics magazine of its kind in India which is also the Flagship Magazine of Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) India and ACAAI News, the official publication of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India. All the STAT Media Group publications have wide ranges of readership and are well renowned and acclaimed for the dedicated approach to their respective media domains. Based in New Mumbai, India, the STAT Media Group has made a significant contribution to the industry through its strong research-driven publications and high-profile networking Air Cargo events.

STAT Times enjoys a worldwide circulation of more than 42,000 copies which is read by the high profile leaders of the Shipping, Transport, Aviation & Tourism industries. It has been engaged in the dissemination of information in the field of the Air Cargo industry since its inception in 1986. Apart from the print media, STAT TIMES has a popular electronic media www.stattimes.com wherein important news in the Aviation industry is posted as Breaking News in its website.

Apart from AIR CARGO AFRICA 2013, the STAT MEDIA GROUP also organizes two other internationally acclaimed and highly successful events - AIR CARGO INDIA and MRO INDIA.

For further details, please contact:-

Harison. M.S. STAT Media Group [email protected] STAT TIMES your multimodal transport media, specializing in Air Cargo with a worldwide readership amongst the leaders of the industry, since 1986.

Tel: +91 22 2757 0550/ 27 575055 Fax: +91 22 2757 2382/ 27 526202 Email: [email protected]/[email protected] www.stattimes.com/ACA2013