Cargo traffic at DWC registers 15.9 percent growth

Dubai World Central reported year-to-date cargo volume, as of the end of September, of 662,143 tonnes, which is an increase of 15.9 percent from the 571,001 tonnes registered during the same period in 2014. This is despite the fact that third quarter volume dipped, with DWC handling 219,131 tonnes of cargo, down 15.6 percent from the 259,636 tonnes recorded during the same quarter in 2014.

Last year DWC had a spike in cargo and passenger traffic as a result of nearby Dubai International Airport being reduced to one runway for a refurbishment program from May to July. Thus, the year-to-date aircraft movement through September this year was 30,003, down 16.5 percent from 35,968 movements recorded in the first nine months of 2014 with passenger traffic contracting as well, by 52.9 percent.

“The permanent relocation of pure cargo operators to DWC earlier this year and the ongoing influx of cargo charter flights will continue to drive the growth in freight volumes at DWC in the long run,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.