Launching its new on-board services for the South African perishable and pharmaceutical market, IAG Cargo and British Airways took the brand new airbus A380 on its first flight over South Africa during the first week of February.

Replacing the B747 model on the route, the new A380 aircraft offers precision cargo transport opportunities for the South African market.

IAG Cargo specified air conditioning capabilities for the hold, which will prove beneficial to customers wishing to transport temperature-sensitive cargo, such as perishables or pharmaceuticals.

The company has also optimised the A380 for belly-hold cargo by purchasing two additional ULD positions in the hold. IAG will also be the first carrier in the world to receive an A380 with an improved maximum take-off weight, 12 tonnes heavier than other A380’s currently flying, allowing it to carry more cargo. As the aircraft is enabled with air conditioning in the forward hold and heating and ventilation in the rear hold it will also be well-suited for the shipment of temperature-sensitive goods, where IAG Cargo will now be able to set and maintain hold temperature to within 1˚C accuracy.