DWC cargo traffic continues to climb

Cargo volumes at Al Maktoum International - Dubai World Central (DWC) continued to rise sharply in the first half of 2015, as the airport continues to rise up the ranks of the top cargo airports worldwide edging into the 19th position up from 20th earlier in the year.

Freight volumes surged 42 per cent in the first half of 2015 to 443,012 tonnes, up from the 311,365 tonnes achieved in the same period last year. The growth was driven by Dubai Airports’ strategic decision to relocate all dedicated freighters from Dubai International to DWC in May last year. 

Passenger traffic for the period totalled 209,989in the first half of 2015 down 64 per cent from the 578,129passengers recorded in the same period last year due to the surge in volumes created by the temporary relocation of 300 flights per week while the runway refurbishment programme was conducted at Dubai International. 

Aircraft movements totalled 20,866 in the first half of 2015, down 17 per cent from the 25,184 movements achieved in the same period last year. 

“The story is only just beginning for DWC but the early results continue to impress,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. “The airport is quickly emerging as an important cargo hub and with the addition of 70 weekly flydubai flights to 7 new destinations in October we expect the airport to soon establish itself as an important gateway to the Middle East.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad said: "Shifting cargo operations from Dubai International Airport to Dubai World Central has boosted freight traffic by 42%, however, the additional capacity on tap at DWC allows the airport to expand both passenger and freight growth faster given its continued development. 

“While passenger numbers have sharply fallen off because of the temporary surge seem last summer during the Dubai Airport runway upgrades, the steady number of airlines and passengers using DWC will continue its upward trend in years to come, especially as big airlines like flydubai have taken the strategic decision to operate out of both city airports.” 

Ahmad added: “It's vital to note that while passenger numbers were down at DWC, aircraft movements were only off by 17% - despite many airlines reverting back to Dubai International after last year's runway works, we can see that flights are stable at DWC and will expand in numbers a year from now and we'll get a better holistic picture of how DWC is performing alongside its expansion and development at the airport site.”