Pretoria: The National Department of Transport (DOT) has reminded all stakeholders in the airfreight sector that the date for comments on the gazetted Airfreight Strategy of South Africa is fast approaching. The strategy has identified 11 priority areas, with one of them focusing on the usage of drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in providing seamless services and facilitating the movement of goods in the airfreight sub-sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, drones or UAVs are not merely a technical innovation in the envisaged Airfreight Strategy for South Africa, but a critical enabler designed to significantly enhance 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 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 emphasized on Sunday.
This technology is expected to broaden the reach of airfreight to rural and hard-to-reach areas where traditional modes of transport face significant challenges. “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 department stated.
The public conversation on drones or UAVs has intensified following the publication of the draft Airfreight Strategy for South Africa, prompting the DOT to once again urge the public to submit their comments on the gazetted draft. The draft strategy aims to unlock the full economic potential of the airfreight sub-sector by addressing systemic challenges such as fragmented cargo corridors, market barriers, and weak regional connectivity.
The strategy is a result of a comprehensive, future-focused assessment initiated by the DOT concerning its national transport policies in relation to the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) of 2017. These assessments revealed that while passenger and commercial aviation have progressed, the airfreight sub-sector has remained relatively underdeveloped and fragmented. “This situation limits the country’s trade and logistical capabilities, thus emphasizing the need for a more integrated and efficient airfreight network to unlock its full potential,” the department noted.
The window period for the public to submit comments on the draft document was set from 26 September 2025 to 07 November 2025.