KENYA – Astral Aviation and Azerbaijan’s cargo airline Silk Way West Airlines have signed an interline agreement to provide cross-selling benefits for both sides by using the wide network of flights to and from Africa.
In line with the agreement, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Dubai will function as the key transit point.
That means Silk Way West Airlines will carry shipments from its network to Dubai handing it over to Astral Aviation’s flight to Nairobi, where shipments will connect to their network, respectively.
The inverse will occur with Astral Aviation’s network with its base in Nairobi and the flights across the African continent will successfully connect the Silk Way West Airlines’ network.
According to Sanjeev Gadhia, Astral Aviation’s CEO, the Kenyan carrier is honored to enter an interline agreement with Silk Way West Airlines, which will enable to reciprocate with cargoes, originating from its African network, to connect to Silk Way West Airlines’ destinations.
“We will continue to forge new alliances and partnerships during the pandemic in line with our philosophy of promoting cooperation and collaboration with airlines and all members of the supply chain, as this will enable our respective clients to benefit with better options and connectivity from our respective networks,” said Gadhia.
The agreement will allow Silk Way West Airlines to broaden its network toward Africa since the carrier had no scheduled services within that continent.
Subsequently, the networks of carriers will be in a position to complement each other, as there are a number of markets, where both airlines do not overlap with one another.
“We will continue to forge new alliances and partnerships during the pandemic in line with our philosophy of promoting cooperation and collaboration with airlines and all members of the supply chain”
Sanjeev Gadhia – CEO, Astral Aviation
“It is another success for us having such a large network across the African continent. The benefits of this interline agreement are of great interest. In cooperation with Astral Aviation, we expand our footprint into Africa,” said Johnny Rubio, Silk Way West Airlines’ chief commercial officer ISMEA (Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, Africa).
In February 2021, Astral Aviation and India’s SpiceXpress, the air cargo arm of Spicejet signed an interline agreement connecting the networks of the two companies.
The new partnership gave a major boost to cargo traffic between the Indian sub-continent and Africa, giving the option of more affordable channels of moving shipments which will include general cargo, courier, and pharmaceuticals through the two airlines’ networks.
The cargo carrier selected Sharjah Airport in March of 2021 as its Middle East hub as it expands its operations in the region.
The hub, chosen for its “strategic location” — as well as its facilities for general cargo, perishables and pharma handling — is Astral’s third.
The carrier also has its headquarters in Nairobi and a Europe base in Liege.
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