Dubai projects 48 per cent cargo growth

DUBAI Airports is forecasting a 48 per cent increase in freight volumes for cargo traffic at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) Al Maktoum International over the next five years.

Cargo tonnage, which totalled 1.9 million in 2009, will exceed 3 million tonnes by the end of 2015. In 2010 alone, freight volumes are expected to rise 12.2 per cent. Improving economic conditions, Dubai’s geocentric location along with anticipated capacity increases by Emirates Airline and other cargo and joint production (cargo and passenger) airlines will be key drivers behind the increase.

Dubai International currently has capacity for 2.5 million tonnes of freight per annum. The first phase of Al-Maktoum International, which opens for cargo airlines this summer, will feature a single A380 compatible runway, 64 remote stands, a cargo terminal building capable of handling 250,000 tonnes per annum expandable to 600,000 tonnes per annum and a dedicated road link to the region’s largest port in Jebel Ali. Plans are in place to optimise DWC and DXB cargo capability to handle anticipated traffic growth to 2015 and beyond.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports said, “Aviation is too important to Dubai’s economy to fall prey to the short-term thinking that has led to costly capacity constraints and congestion at so many airports around the world.”

“DWC is clearly a long term project. Phase 1 will provide much-needed freight capacity in the near to mid-term,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports. “The vision is to eventually develop…Al Maktoum International into a multi-modal logistics hub which capitalises on its ideal location next to Jebel Ali Port as well as its connectivity by air to major consumer markets worldwide.”