Dubai World Central cargo volumes rise 144%

Dubai Airports has announced that Dubai World Central handled 219,092 tonnes of air freight during its second full calendar year of operations, an increase of 144 percent over 2011.

In 2012 Dubai World Central's average monthly air cargo volumes totalled 18,258 tonnes compared to 7,477 tonnes recorded during the airport's first full year of operations.

Cargo transit traffic comprised 44,052 tonnes or 20 percent of volumes, the airport operator said in a statement.

Aircraft movements for the year came in at 16,317, up 99 percent from 8,198 recorded in 2011.

During 2012, more than 30 airlines operated into Dubai World Central, predominantly as cargo charter operations. Of these 15 were scheduled services.

"Less than three years after its opening Dubai World Central is fast emerging as a significant cargo airport in the region," said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

"That emergence is set to continue as airlines take advantage of the airport's facilities, road feeder service to Dubai International and bonded link to the Jebel Ali port."

Eight new airlines launched services to the airport during 2012, including ZetAvia, Abakan Aiva, Silk Way Airlines, Khalton Air, Sakavia Services, Iran Aseman, Vision Air and Saudi Arabian.

An increasing amount of Dubai Airports' total cargo is projected to be handled at Dubai World Central in the years ahead with cargo volumes for both airports projected to top three million tonnes by 2015.

General aviation traffic is also expected to pick up in 2013 with the recent opening of the new Al Majlis facility, to be operated in partnership with private aviation groups Execujet and Jet Aviation.

It has six lounges capable of accommodating 80,000 VIP passengers a year.