Dubai traffic boom calls for cooperation

A FIVE-FOLD increase in aircraft movements in Dubai over the last 25 years is putting pressure on already constrained airspace and infrastructure.

Aircraft movements grew from 63,000 in 1985 to over 307,000 in 2010. By 2020 aircraft movements will surpass 560,000 and cargo volumes will top 4.1 million metric tonnes at Dubai International.

“Unfortunately, the airspace is currently not configured to support the growth and capacity bottlenecks are looming on the horizon,” Dubai Airports chief executive officer Paul Griffiths (right) said.

“We have an outdated route structure, fragmented airspace and there is a lack of effective coordination on a regional scale,” added Griffiths.

Efforts are gaining pace to pool resources and collaborate in the region. Dubai Trade and the National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) are in talks to form an alliance that would further the growth of the freight forwarding and logistics industry in the UAE.

The two are looking at areas which impact the local freight forwarding community, such as training, risk financing (liability insurance), and e-payment in order to add value to the industry as a whole.

“The recent global economic crisis prompted mergers, affiliations, and alliances among companies and organisations, which ultimately signifies the need to work together,” Mahmood Al Bastaki, director of Dubai Trade, said. “To synergise with organisations such as the NAFL is one step to promote teamwork among various entities that will lead to advancement in the freight and logistics industries.”