DWC sees surge in freight traffic in Q3

DWC recorded 243,284 tonnes of freight in the third quarter, a sharp increase of 462.5 per cent from 43,252 tonnes recorded during the corresponding period in 2013. The spike, fuelled mainly by the completion of the shift of all pure cargo flights, including Emirates SkyCargo, from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International (DWC) in May this year. The year to date cargo in September reached 519,851 tonnes, up 255.6 per cent from 146,181 tonnes recorded during the first nine months of 2013. 

Passenger numbers totalled 155,997 in the third quarter as a result of temporary flights operated by some passenger airlines during the runway upgrade project at Dubai International between May 1 and July 20. The year to date passenger traffic (Jan-Sept) totalled 734,126. 

Aircraft movements in the third quarter totalled 10,784 compared to 6,686 movements during the same period last year, an increase of 61.3 per cent. Increase in both the passenger and freight operations in recent months, year to date (Jan-Sept) aircraft movements also climbed sharply to 35,968 movements, up 112.5 per cent from 16,923 movements recorded in the first nine months of 2013. 

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “The permanent relocation of pure cargo operators to DWC as well as the influx of cargo charter flights will continue to drive the growth in freight volumes at DWC and we are working to expand our facilities to accommodate the anticipated growth. We expect passenger traffic to return to Q1 levels in the fourth quarter as all temporary operations – which contributed substantially to passenger numbers this quarter – have already returned to Dubai International.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Not-with-standing the shift of all cargo flights from Dubai International, Dubai World Central has started life by cementing its position as the GCC hub of choice for freight transhipments as seen by the huge 462% rise in cargo that has been handled in contrast to the same time a year ago. 

“Despite global air cargo traffic growing at a much slower rate than passenger traffic, Dubai World Central's unique location sandwiched between Jebel Ali, Dubai and Abu Dhabi gives it a big three-way sea-land-to air advantage over neighbouring airports. Add in the seven million passenger capacity too, Dubai World Central has proven very quickly that it is up to the challenge of accommodating increased traffic movements.” 

Ahmad added: “This capacity availability coupled with growth potential will almost certainly mean that flydubai will move here provides not just an additional gateway into Dubai, but it also alleviates traffic pressures at the existing downtown airport. 

“But you have to remember that DWC was developed to complement the growth at Dubai International. These airports are not in competition with one another. The huge pent up demand that will still see Dubai International break its 2013 passenger record despite months of disruptive runway improvements means that not only will the airport likely reach its 100m passenger target before 2020, but that DWC will be needed to cater for the additional new entrants, markets and routes that airlines hope to launch with the continued expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport.”