Emirates SkyCargo and Nairobi-based Astral Aviation will be the first airlines to be handled through the new Transglobal Cargo Centre on-airport facility at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Transglobal Cargo Centre is the largest cargo handling facility at the airport, and will be the first fresh produce and cargo handling facility in Africa to incorporate a multi-storey ETV (elevating transfer vehicle)-based perishables handling system. This cool-chain ETV system will have capacity for storing 160 pallets ' the equivalent of more than four 747 freighter loads .

Both Emirates SkyCargo and Astral are currently handled at the company's existing off-airport terminal; perishables constitute a significant proportion of both carriers' export traffic from the airport. As the new terminal incorporates full on-site pallet-building facilities for perishables, agent and shipper customers of both airlines will be able to deliver loose perishable cargo direct to the terminal for containerisation or palletisation; this work is currently performed by agents and shippers off airport.

The Transglobal facility has roller bed access to the temperature-controlled ULD build-up area. The perishables handling area is divided into separate temperature zones (e.g. chilled store, freezer) to cater for the varying needs of different commodities. Shippers, agents and regulatory staff will also have access to a dedicated 1,000 sq m perishables inspection and re-packing area.

Located on JKIA's newly-extended freight apron, with direct airside access, Transglobal Cargo Centre will help the airport to accommodate future growth and, by replacing its reliance upon off-airport cargo handling facilities, will facilitate the airport's application for FAA category 1 status.

Says Ram C. Menen, Emirates Divisional Senior VP Cargo: "We are delighted to be a launch customer of the magnificent new Transglobal Cargo Centre in Nairobi, which will speed processing of our perishables traffic, and help us to maintain product condition in transit. This major investment will play a key role in further developing Nairobi as a gateway for cool-chain cargo."

Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, adds: 'Transglobal Cargo Centre's new terminal will provide many benefits to Astral and its clients. The new terminal will enable Astral to centralize its consolidation and palletization of cargoes under one roof which will greatly enhance efficiency and turn-around. In addition, Astral will offer a unique cargo acceptance counter at the new terminal which will enable its Kenyan clients to benefit from an integrated one-stop service.'

When Transglobal Cargo Centre becomes fully operational, it will mark the end of a one and half-year building program, representing a total investment of '11 million in a state-of-the-art handling facility.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has the second highest cargo throughput in Africa, at' 290,500 tons in 2009 (up 5% on the previous year). The airport is currently served by almost 40 scheduled airlines. Transglobal Cargo Centre alone will have an estimated cargo handling capacity of 250,000 tons per annum.

Emirates SkyCargo launched services to Nairobi in 1995 and today operates two Boeing 747 freighters and 14 wide-bodied passenger flights per week from the Kenyan capital.

Astral Aviation is the leading regional freighter airline in East Africa; it commenced operations in 2000 and operates a fleet of DC9 freighter aircraft with 17 tonnes payload. Astral operates a combination of scheduled and charter services to over 45 destinations in its intra-African network, and interlines with over 18 airlines including Emirates SkyCargo.

Transglobal Cargo Centre is at an advanced stage of negotiations with several major global carriers as potential customers for the new facility. Comments General Manager ' Sales & Marketing, Mark Carroll: 'The facilities on offer at Transglobal Cargo Centre are so much larger and so much better than anything else at the airport. They provide carriers with a rea