FleetWatch is a trucking magazine so why are we talking to Airlink, one of South Africa’s most respected regional airlines, about vehicle telematics? After all, when we think fleet telematics, our minds usually jump to long-haul rigs pounding the highways rather than airplanes soaring through the skies. However, FleetWatch editor Patrick O’Leary recently had a fascinating discussion with Hannes Louw, Compliance and Investigation Officer for Airlink and found that through its vehicle video telematics systems, FleetCam has transformed the risk profile of Airlink’s ground vehicle operations on airport aprons to the highest levels of safety and compliance. Read on…

So much of life happens behind the scenes. Take a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, for example. You book your ticket, check in your luggage, board the plane, sip a coffee and nibble a sandwich, then disembark on the other side and head on your way. Easy. Yet out on the apron – the bustling tarmac zone where aircraft are serviced – a world of activity unfolds, carrying both opportunities for excellence and risks for mishap.

This is where FleetCam, a company specialising in vehicle video telematics systems that integrates high-definition cameras with GPS tracking and driver behaviour monitoring, and Airlink have teamed up to make sure that “mishaps´ stay out of the picture and only “excellence” makes it through.

Mention Airlink and you think airplanes. However, the company operates a large fleet of vehicles in and around airports – baggage loaders, catering trucks, crew buses, maintenance vehicles – all essential to keeping flights on schedule. But working in the high-pressure, security-sensitive environment of an airport apron brings unique challenges: strict safety protocols, potential for theft or pilferage and the constant need to ensure operational efficiency.

Enter FleetCam’s technology which, according to Louw, has given Airlink unprecedented visibility over its ground operations. “We can now see exactly what’s happening, where it’s happening, and who’s involved – in real time,” he explains.

In the world of aviation, safety, security and precision aren’t optional extras – they’re the foundations of the business. For Airlink, those principles don’t just apply in the air. On the ground, an army of support vehicles work behind the scenes to keep every flight running smoothly. But like any busy hub of activity, ground operations face challenges: pilferage of perishable food, gaps in cargo security, occasional lapses in compliance, and the everyday risks of accidents in a fast-moving environment.

This is where FleetCam has given Airlink’s compliance team a new set of eyes across their entire ground fleet. And according to Louw, those eyes have been game-changers. “We’ve gone from having limited visibility to having total visibility over our operations,” says Louw. “FleetCam hasn’t just helped us respond to issues – it’s helped us prevent them.”

From problem-solving to prevention

Before FleetCam, many incidents had to be investigated after the fact – often relying on partial witness accounts, incomplete manual records or perhaps footage from fixed CCTV cameras that didn’t always capture the full story. Now, every Airlink ground vehicle equipped with FleetCam carries its own moving, intelligent surveillance system.

The hardware includes multiple high-definition cameras, facing both inward and outward, along with GPS tracking and event-triggered recording. The result is a rich stream of visual and telematics data that allows the compliance team to see exactly what happened, where, and when. And that visibility isn’t just about catching wrongdoing. It’s about changing behaviour.

“We’ve noticed that when staff know they’re being monitored, they tend to follow procedures more consistently,” says Louw. “It’s improved everything from safe driving habits to how cargo is handled.”

Cutting Pilferage, Securing Cargo

One of the most immediate benefits has been in the fight against pilferage, particularly of perishable catering items destined for flights. Airlines work to tight schedules and strict quality controls for on-board meals and any unauthorised loss can cause disruption, cost and reputational damage.

Since FleetCam’s introduction, those incidents have dropped sharply. Drivers know their catering runs are monitored in real time. Cameras record every stop, every door opening and every moment food is loaded or unloaded.

The same goes for cargo security. Whether it’s high-value goods or urgent documents, FleetCam provides a verified chain of custody. Any deviation from a route, unexplained stop, or improper handling is flagged instantly.

“If there’s an issue with a delivery, we can review the footage live as its happening,” says Louw. “It’s no longer about asking what happened? We can see exactly what happened.”

Compliance made easier

Airlink’s compliance standards are already rigorous, covering everything from driver conduct and vehicle safety checks to adherence with airside security protocols. But enforcing those standards across a large and varied fleet can be challenging.

FleetCam has turned that process from reactive policing into proactive management. The system can be set to trigger alerts for specific events – such as speeding, harsh braking, or unauthorised stops – allowing supervisors to address issues in real time. This means fewer minor infringements escalating into major incidents, and a smoother path to passing internal and external audits.

“If we are asked for proof that a certain protocol is followed, we can show clear, time-stamped video evidence,” says Louw. “It’s indisputable.”

Safety is another major win. On a busy airport apron, vehicles operate in close proximity to aircraft, other vehicles and ground staff. Mistakes can be costly.

With FleetCam, unsafe driving behaviour is quickly identified and corrected. The presence of cameras encourages drivers to maintain safe speeds, follow correct routes, and remain alert, especially in high-risk areas near aircraft engines or refueling points. In the event of an incident, video evidence can be used for training, showing exactly what went wrong and how it can be avoided in future.

Beyond the vehicles

While FleetCam was introduced for Airlink’s ground vehicles, its influence has extended further. The data and insights gathered are now being used to refine training programmes, improve workflow planning and even strengthen relationships with service providers and partners.

Insurance claims are another area seeing benefits. With irrefutable video evidence, Airlink can more effectively challenge false claims or quickly settle legitimate ones – saving both time and money.

A cultural shift

Perhaps the most significant impact has been cultural. FleetCam hasn’t just added a layer of technology – it’s shifted the mindset of the teams on the ground. “When people know there’s accountability, they tend to take more pride in their work,” says Louw. “The technology reinforces the idea that every role in this operation matters.”

And while some might expect resistance to increased monitoring, Louw says the opposite has been true. “Our teams see it as a tool that protects them as much as it protects the company,” he explains. “If there’s a dispute about what happened, the video often clears them instantly.”

With the success of FleetCam so far, Airlink is looking at ways to expand and enhance the system. “The more we can see, the more we can improve. It’s about making sure we’re always one step ahead,” says Louw.

In aviation, the details matter and in Airlink’s ground operations, those details are now visible in high definition, every minute of every day. “If you want to improve safety, compliance and efficiency you need more than rules. You need visibility. FleetCam gives us that – every minute, every vehicle, every trip,” concludes Louw.

Talk about a happy partnership and this is it.

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