Dubai World Central (DWC), the Middle East emirate’s second international hub, recorded a slight increase in 2016 airfreight volumes at 897,998 tonnes, up 0.8% versus prior year.
Owner Dubai Airports stated: “[DWC]Cargo volumes registered strong growth in the fourth quarter with 252,300 tonnes of air freight, up 10.3% compared to 228,770 tonnes recorded in Q4 2015.”
DWC in the UAE is currently served by 27 passenger carriers, operating an average of 108 flights weekly to 44 international destinations and is home to 64 scheduled cargo operators that fly to as many as 138 destinations around the world.
Sister airport Dubai International Airport (DXB), reporting its full year 2016 results last week, shrugged off a 2016 third quarter cargo lull to rebound with a 3.4% rise in volumes to just under 2.6m tonnes.
Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, said: “After having emerged as one of the top 20 international cargo hubs, DWC is now growing steadily in stature as a passenger hub, and we are pleased with the growth in passenger traffic in 2016.
“Considering the unique proposition DWC offers to airlines in terms of easy availability of slots, quick turn-around times, quick transit times though the airport for passengers and access to new catchment area – not to forget the expansion project underway that will more than quadruple its capacity to 26m passengers by next year – we expect the growth trend to continue this year, and beyond.”
