South Africa’s DOT Urges Stakeholders to Submit Feedback on Transformative Airfreight Strategy
The National Department of Transport (DOT) of South Africa has issued a reminder to all stakeholders in the aviation and logistics sectors that the deadline for public submissions on the country’s draft Airfreight Strategy is fast approaching.
The window for comments, which opened on 26 September 2025, will officially close on 7 November 2025.
The Cabinet recently approved the publication of the draft Airfreight Strategy in the Government Gazette for public consultation.
This marks a significant milestone for South Africa and the African continent at large as the initiative seeks to strengthen trade and logistics competitiveness through a modern, efficient, and connected airfreight network.
The draft strategy builds on insights from a comprehensive review of national transport policies, particularly the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) of 2017.
While passenger and commercial aviation have experienced steady growth, the review found that the airfreight sub-sector remains underdeveloped and fragmented, limiting both trade capacity and regional connectivity.
A Vision for a Modern, Inclusive Airfreight System
To bridge these gaps, the proposed strategy identifies eleven priority areas aimed at transforming the airfreight sector into a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive system.
Key focus areas include improving cargo corridor efficiency, eliminating market barriers, and strengthening regional linkages.
A standout feature of the strategy is the integration of drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), as a catalyst for innovation and sustainability.
The DOT highlights drones as a transformative technology capable of reshaping air cargo logistics by enhancing “first and last mile” delivery, lowering operational costs, and boosting e-commerce capacity.
Beyond logistics, UAVs play a vital role in expanding delivery access to rural and remote areas, thereby fostering economic inclusivity and empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the broader logistics ecosystem.
Moreover, drone operations contribute to supply chain resilience during infrastructure disruptions and reduce carbon emissions, aligning South Africa’s aviation policies with international sustainability standards.
DOT Encourages Final Feedback Before Deadline
With growing public interest in drone technology and sustainable logistics, the DOT is encouraging all stakeholders industry players, civil society, and the public to submit comments before the 7 November 2025 deadline.
The department reaffirmed that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) will continue overseeing all civilian drone operations under regulations aligned with global aviation safety, security, and environmental standards.
Through this strategy, South Africa seeks to position itself—and Africa—at the forefront of a future-ready airfreight ecosystem that promotes economic growth, trade efficiency, and regional integration.
