Dubai World Central is quickly establishing itself as an up-and-coming cargo airport in the region according to the latest traffic statistics issued by airport operator Dubai Airports. Cargo volumes at Dubai’s second airport surged 153% to 56,271 tonnes during the second quarter of 2012 compared to 22,252 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
Year to date cargo volumes rose 226% to 106,333 tonnes compared to 32,634 tonnes during the same period in 2011. DWC’s first half results follow robust growth in the first quarter when year on year freight the airport shot up by 382%.
DWC’s air traffic movements saw a similarly dramatic upswing in Q2. Aircraft movements rose 136% to 3,961 from 1,676 recorded during Q2 2011. Year to date movements rose from 2,526 in the first half of 2011 to 7,474 in the first half of 2012 – an increase of 196%.
The growth is mainly being driven by a number of large non-commercial contracts secured late last year as well as additional charter and scheduled services also introduced during 2011. Notable milestones during the first half of the year include the launch of thrice-weekly flights from Riyadh by Saudi Airlines Cargo. Additionally, in May, United States logistics provider National Air Cargo operated its 1,000th flight into the fledgling airport. DWC currently has some 36 carriers signed up and operating while negotiations with a number of others are ongoing.
Source: Dubai Airports