More air cargo space between Perth-Singapore available over next three months

9/1/95

Western Australian exporters will have more air cargo space available between Perth and Singapore over the next three months.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today he had made successful representations to the Singaporean Government for a United Kingdom charter carrier, Britannia Airways, to carry air freight between Perth and Singapore.

"Britannia Airways is running a series of charters between Britain and Australia until March, meaning an extra 100 tonnes of capacity for air freight into Singapore between now and then," Mr Charlton said.

"With the peak period for WA-produced perishable exports from Perth running from November to March, the timing could not be better.

"Much of this product, which includes milk, fruit and vegetables, is destined for the Singaporean market."

Mr Charlton said that in the past, opportunity to export perishables to South-East Asia was often limited due to restrictions in air freight capacity.

The Government recently set up the WA Air Freight Export Council (AFEC) as part of an ongoing program to improve the professionalism, productivity and coordination of air freight exports out of Perth.

The Minister said the cargo capacity available on Britannia's B767 aircraft between Perth and Singapore was a valuable resource, and the Government supported its use for the uplift of cargo.

"I appreciate the speed with which the Singaporean Government has approved our request which will facilitate the export of WA perishable products," he said.

"This is a tangible and positive early result from the formation of AFEC."

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333