Cargo passing through Dubai World Central soared in the first half of the year pushing the city’s new airport higher in the global rankings for the movement of air freight.
Cargo volumes at the Dubai World Central (DWC) hub grew 42 per cent during the first half of this year, pushing Al Maktoum International airport up one place in the world rankings to become the 19th busiest cargo hub.
Freight volumes surged to 443,012 tonnes in the first half of 2015, up from the 311,365 tonnes for the same period last year, Dubai Airports said yesterday, driven by Emirates airline's strategic decision in May last year to relocate all dedicated freighters from Dubai International to the new airport.
However, the number of passengers passing through the airport fell 64 per cent during the same period, to 209,989 from the 578,129 recorded during the same period last year.
Dubai Airports said that the reduction in passengers was due to a surge in volumes created by the temporary relocation of 300 flights per week from Dubai’s current main airport Dubai International while a runway refurbishment programme was carried out.
The temporary relocation was also responsible for a 17 per cent fall in the number of aircraft movements recorded during the period – totalling 20,866 in the first half of 2015, down from 25,184 a year earlier.
"The story is only just beginning for DWC but the early results continue to impress," said Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports. "The airport is quickly emerging as an important cargo hub and with the addition of 70 weekly flydubai flights to seven new destinations in October, we expect the airport to soon establish itself as an important gateway to the Middle East."
According to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), demand for air freight among Middle East carriers jumped by more than 18 per cent in May compared to a year earlier, while in Europe it fell 1.3 per cent and in North America it was down 2.9 per cent.
Iata said that the increase was due to network and capacity expansion, which was encouraging air freight to go through Middle Eastern hubs.
lbarnard@thenational.ae
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Jawan
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5