Triple digit freight growth boost Dubai World Central

Cargo volumes at DWC totalled 58,423 tonnes in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 26,570 tonnes in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 120 per cent.

The year to date freight increased by 178 per cent from 59,204 tonnes in the first nine months of 2011 to 164,757 tonnes during the same period this year. DWC’s strong showing follows similar results in the first half during which freight at the airport shot up by 226 per cent.

Air traffic movements at DWC witnessed a proportional upswing in the third quarter with aircraft movements rising 42 per cent to 4,097, from 2,877 recorded during Q3 of 2011. Year to date movements (September) rose from 5,403 in 2011 to 11,571 during the same period in 2012 – an increase of 114.2 per cent.

The growth at DWC can be attributed to the introduction late last year of a number of charter and scheduled services as well as the increasing awareness among operators of the benefits of the new airport’s bonded road connection with the Jebel Ali Port, and the Jebel Ali Freezone.  DWC currently has some 36 carriers signed up and operating while negotiations with a number of others are ongoing.

 “We are really happy with the way DWC has evolved since its opening two years ago, and is on track to establish itself as an up and coming international freight hub. The idea is to make sure that our customers continue to derive maximum benefit from the flexibility and multi-modal connectivity that DWC is known for,” said Ali Angizeh, the newly appointed vice president of cargo & logistics at Dubai Airports.

Analyst, Saj Ahmad said: “Dubai World Central's growth alongside that of Dubai International demonstrates to good effect not only the need for added airport capacity but also because the city is proving to be a big a magnet for freight as it is for passenger traffic.

“While freight traffic is generally weak at present, the opening up of additional non freight services at Dubai World Central means the airport is working towards full scale passenger operations next year.

“The expanded infrastructure links to DWC will increase access and improve connections - the airport still has many years of investment ahead of it and its likely that its full capabilities will only be realised as the airport and traffic expands to meet the demand needs going forward.”