‘Deadline Looms’:

South Africa’s National Department of Transport (DOT) is calling on all stakeholders in the airfreight sector to submit their comments on the gazetted Draft Airfreight Strategy before the window closes on 7 November 2025.

This timely reminder comes as public discussions heat up, especially around the strategy’s focus on drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a game-changer for efficient goods movement. With the comment period running from 26 September 2025, the DOT wants to gather diverse views to refine the plan, which aims to revamp the underdeveloped airfreight sub-sector and unlock its economic power.
The strategy, born from a review of national transport policies tied to the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) of 2017, highlights 11 priority areas to tackle longstanding issues like fragmented cargo routes, entry barriers for new players, and weak links with neighbouring countries. Among these, drones stand out not just as a tech upgrade but as a vital tool to boost speed, reach, and sustainability in deliveries. As conversations spark online and in industry circles, the DOT is keen to hear from everyone to shape a stronger, more inclusive airfreight system.

Background: Why a New Airfreight Strategy Now?

The Draft Airfreight Strategy for South Africa stems from a thorough look at the country’s aviation policies, starting with the NCAP 2017. Assessments showed that while passenger flights and commercial aviation have grown strong, the airfreight side – moving goods by air – has lagged behind, staying scattered and underused. This gap hurts trade and logistics, limiting how quickly and reliably South Africa can send and receive shipments.
To fix this, the DOT crafted the strategy to build a more joined-up and effective airfreight network. It targets systemic hurdles that hold back growth, like poor coordination between airports, high costs for smaller operators, and outdated rules that slow innovation. By addressing these, the plan seeks to tap into airfreight’s full potential, creating jobs, boosting exports, and making supply chains tougher against disruptions like weather events or road breakdowns.
The strategy’s vision is a competitive, sustainable airfreight sector that supports economic growth and global trade. Its mission focuses on better infrastructure, smoother operations, and fair access for all, aligning with South Africa’s broader goals for a greener, more inclusive economy.
The 11 Priority Areas: A Roadmap for Change
At the core of the strategy are 11 key focus areas designed to overhaul the airfreight landscape. While the full list includes broad themes like improving customs processes, upgrading airport facilities, and fostering partnerships with regional players, one standout is the integration of drones or UAVs for seamless services.
Other priorities touch on enhancing competitiveness through better licensing, funding for cargo corridors, and removing market barriers that favour big companies over small ones. There’s also emphasis on economic inclusion, such as training for local workers and supporting black-owned businesses in aviation. Sustainability gets a nod too, with plans for low-emission tech and alignment with global green goals.
The strategy calls for better information sharing among stakeholders, like airlines, shippers, and government, to cut delays and costs. It also pushes for stronger ties with African neighbours to build regional hubs, making South Africa a key player in continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Drones as a Critical Enabler: Beyond Just Innovation

Drones or UAVs are included not as a simple technical innovation in the envisaged Airfreight Strategy for South Africa but as a critical enabler designed to significantly multiply the efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience of the entire national airfreight system.
“Drones or UAVs offer a powerful solution for the ‘first and last mile’ of delivery. They will complement the conventional road-based transportation by rapidly moving smaller, time-sensitive, and high-value shipments. For businesses, this means lower operational costs, faster delivery times, and a significant boost to e-commerce growth,” the department said on Sunday.
This technology is expected to extend the reach of airfreight to rural and hard-to-reach areas where traditional modes of transport are hugely challenged. By offering an agile, alternative transport option, drones or UAVs add a crucial layer of resilience to supply chains, ensuring continuity during disasters like floods or infrastructure failures. Furthermore, drones or UAVs stand to foster alignment with global sustainability goals by providing a greener, low-emission delivery method.
The strategy envisions drones handling critical items like medical supplies, easing urban traffic, and supporting e-commerce in remote spots. It proposes building drone-specific corridors and “aerial highways” between major hubs to manage traffic safely. All drones would need registration to ensure oversight, with rules for safe integration into airspace.

Sector Response: Calls for Updated Laws and Easier Rules

The draft has sparked lively debate in the drones sector, with groups urging the DOT to update aviation laws to match the strategy’s ambitions. Current rules for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are seen as too strict, needing an Air Services License, a five-step remote operator certificate process, and six key staff roles. Annual renewals add more hassle and cost, holding back growth.
Industry voices want changes for longer-range flights in cities and countryside, expanding Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) ops beyond the 25km limit, and flexible altitude rules. They also push for simpler regs on local drone design and making, to spark innovation and jobs. “The strategy recognises drones’ importance, but laws must evolve to let them fly further and higher safely,” said one expert.
These calls highlight how the plan could create economic wins, like new tech jobs and faster deliveries that grow online shopping. By going green, drones cut emissions compared to trucks, helping South Africa meet climate targets while making supply chains tougher.
Public Comments: Your Chance to Shape the Future
Given the public conversation on drones or UAVs that has sparked in the wake of publication of the draft Airfreight Strategy for South Africa, it is essential for the DOT to implore the public, once more, to submit their comments into the gazetted draft Airfreight Strategy for South Africa.
The window period for the public to submit comments on the draft document was set from 26 September 2025 to 07 November 2025. Stakeholders from airlines, farmers, tech firms, and everyday citizens are encouraged to share ideas on making the strategy better. Comments can cover anything from drone safety to how it boosts rural economies or cuts red tape.
To submit, check the DOT website or Government Gazette for details. This input will help fine-tune the plan, ensuring it works for all South Africans.

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DOT

‘Deadline Looms’: DOT Urges Public Input on Draft Airfreight Strategy as Drones Take Centre Stage

‘Deadline Looms’:

Background: Why a New Airfreight Strategy Now?

Drones as a Critical Enabler: Beyond Just Innovation

Sector Response: Calls for Updated Laws and Easier Rules

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

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