Cargo Charter from Africa
Access freighter aircraft for urgent, oversized, perishable and specialised cargo movements across Africa and worldwide.
Arrange Your Cargo Charter
Arrange dedicated cargo aircraft from Africa for urgent, oversized, perishable, project, AOG and specialised shipments. We source suitable freighter aircraft and coordinate routing, permits, airport handling and operator requirements for regional and international cargo movements.
Cargo We Can Arrange
- Perishables — cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood requiring cold chain handling
- Mining & oil and gas equipment — oversized and time-critical logistics for remote sites
- Aircraft-on-ground / AOG parts — time-critical aircraft components
- Humanitarian & relief supplies — emergency response and NGO logistics
- Pharmaceuticals & medical supplies — cold chain and temperature-controlled
- Electronics & high-value goods — secure, time-definite
- Dangerous goods & lithium batteries — subject to UN classification, packing instructions and operator acceptance
- Oversized & project cargo — heavy machinery, industrial equipment
- E-commerce & express cargo — fast-moving consumer goods
- Automotive & industrial components — supply chain logistics
Aircraft Types Suitable for African Cargo Charter
Aircraft selection across Africa depends heavily on airfield infrastructure as well as cargo type. See our full cargo charter aircraft fleet for detailed specifications.
Payload figures above are typical/indicative only — actual capacity depends on aircraft configuration, range, fuel load, loading restrictions and operating conditions. Widebody and Antonov-class freighters are in limited supply on the continent and generally require early planning. We also draw on established network operators such as Ethiopian Airlines Cargo for long-haul connectivity beyond our directly sourced fleet; see "Cargo Operators We May Source" in the sidebar. Contact our desk to confirm capacity for your specific route.
Cargo Charter from Major African Hubs
We arrange charter departures from the continent's principal air cargo gateways, with additional airports available on enquiry.
Addis Ababa Bole International (ADD) is one of Africa's largest air cargo hubs by volume, anchored by Ethiopian Airlines Cargo. Johannesburg (JNB/OR Tambo) and Nairobi (NBO/Jomo Kenyatta) are also undergoing cargo-terminal capacity upgrades.
Charter Corridors from Africa
The table below reflects typical demand patterns and aircraft considerations by corridor rather than fixed schedules, since operators, routings and frequencies in this market change quickly. Contact our desk to confirm current options for your specific route.
| Charter Corridor | Typical Demand | Aircraft Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Africa → Europe | Perishables (flowers, produce, fish), high-value goods | B767F / B737F, temperature-controlled handling |
| Africa → Middle East | AOG, project cargo, general freight | B767F / B747F / other suitable freighters |
| Africa → Asia | E-commerce, industrial inputs (fast-growing lane) | Widebody freighter, subject to availability |
| Intra-Africa | Mining/energy equipment, humanitarian, general cargo | ATR 72F / B737F, infrastructure-dependent |
| Africa → North America | High-value and specialised cargo | Long-range freighter; routing subject to aircraft range, payload, airport capability and operating permissions |
Africa–Asia air cargo volumes grew sharply in early 2026 (IATA reported the trade lane up 61.9% year-on-year in February 2026), reflecting fast-rising e-commerce and industrial flows. We source from operators active across the continent — including Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Astral Aviation — subject to enquiry, availability and current schedules.
Regional Airspace & Operational Considerations: Some African routings require additional operational, security and regulatory assessment. Airspace restrictions, NOTAMs, security advisories, permits and local operating conditions can change quickly and are reviewed for each charter before confirmation — including applicable civil aviation regulations, foreign-aircraft safety requirements and bilateral arrangements relevant to the route and operator. Contact our desk for current guidance on a specific corridor.
Why Charter Instead of Scheduled Air Freight?
| Scheduled Air Freight | Cargo Charter |
|---|---|
| Fixed schedules | Dedicated departure planning around your cargo |
| Shared, available capacity | Aircraft selected specifically for the shipment |
| Limited access to smaller/remote airfields | Aircraft matched to airfield infrastructure, including remote sites |
| Capacity restrictions | Payload and volume assessed for your cargo specifically |
| Less flexibility for urgent or perishable cargo | Suited to AOG, cold-chain and time-critical requirements |
How Our Cargo Charter Process Works
Submit Cargo Details
Origin, destination, weight, dimensions and date.
Aircraft Sourcing
We assess suitable freighter and cargo aircraft options.
Route & Operations
Aircraft, permits, handling, slots and routing.
Charter Quotation
You receive aircraft and commercial options.
Booking & Execution
We coordinate the flight and operational requirements.
Why Use Safe Fly Aviation for Cargo Charter?
- Independent aircraft sourcing — access to multiple operators
- International charter coordination — global route capability
- Time-critical & AOG response — 24/7 enquiry access, urgent requests can be submitted at any time
- Dangerous Goods & Lithium Battery Coordination — subject to applicable regulations and operator acceptance
- Oversized & project cargo capability — heavy-lift aircraft sourcing via our special mission charter desk
- Infrastructure-aware planning — aircraft matched to airfield conditions and regional operating constraints
- Documentation & ground handling support — seamless execution
- One point of contact — from enquiry to delivery
Africa's Air Cargo Market
Africa has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing air cargo regions through 2026, repeatedly outpacing the global average even during periods of broader disruption. African airlines posted 21.0% year-on-year cargo demand growth in February 2026 — the strongest of any region — followed by 7.0% growth in March (as global demand fell 4.8%) and 4.7% growth in June, with the Africa–Asia trade lane a particular standout, up 61.9% year-on-year in February 2026 alone.
Addis Ababa Bole International, anchored by Ethiopian Airlines Cargo — Africa's largest air cargo network, serving 145+ destinations — is one of the continent's largest cargo hubs. Ethiopian Cargo aims to nearly triple annual cargo traffic from 754,000 tonnes in 2025 to 1.9 million tonnes by 2040. Nairobi-based Astral Aviation, operating a Boeing 767/737 P2F freighter fleet, has continued expanding its regional network, including a weekly Nairobi–Asmara freighter service launched in May 2026 to strengthen Horn of Africa connectivity. Kenya's flower and perishables export sector remains a major structural driver of scheduled and charter cargo demand into Europe.
For broader market context and trend analysis, see our earlier Africa's Cargo Charter Market report and the Africa Aviation Intelligence hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cargo charter from Africa cost?
Cargo charter costs depend on aircraft type, route, cargo weight and dimensions, and operational requirements. We provide custom quotations based on your specific shipment needs.
How quickly can Safe Fly arrange a cargo aircraft?
Urgent charter requests can be assessed immediately, and our desk aims to respond to initial enquiries within a few hours. Actual departure timing depends on aircraft availability, route, permits, airport slots, handling requirements and cargo readiness.
Can you arrange charter flights from Nairobi or Johannesburg?
Yes. We source cargo charter aircraft from Nairobi (NBO), Johannesburg (JNB), and other major African airports, including Lagos (LOS), Cairo (CAI), and Addis Ababa (ADD).
Can lithium batteries be transported by charter aircraft?
Lithium battery cargo can be assessed subject to its UN classification, packing instruction, state of charge, documentation, operator acceptance and applicable dangerous-goods regulations.
Can you arrange perishable or temperature-controlled cargo charters?
Yes. We arrange temperature-controlled and time-critical charters for perishables such as flowers, fruit, vegetables and fish/seafood, subject to aircraft and route availability.
Can you charter aircraft into mining or oil & gas sites with limited infrastructure?
Yes, subject to airfield suitability, permits and operator assessment. We work with operators experienced in infrastructure-constrained airports across West, Southern and East Africa.
What information is required for a cargo charter quotation?
We typically require: origin and destination, cargo description, total weight, number of pieces, dimensions, packing type, dangerous goods status, preferred date, and loading requirements.
Can Safe Fly arrange cargo aircraft outside Africa?
Yes. Our global network allows us to source aircraft from multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, subject to operator availability and regulatory approvals.
Request Cargo Charter Quote
Tell us your origin, destination, cargo details and required date. We'll assess aircraft options and routing and respond as soon as possible.
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