Dubai weathers global air cargo storm with little loss

SHARP declines in global air cargo have had little impact on the fortunes Dubai International cargo airport, which only suffered a 0.76 per cent drop in the first half with little expectation much will change through the rest of 2009.

"At the end of the year, I expect the total air cargo handled to be between 1.7 to 18 million tonnes, almost the same tonnage Dubai handled last year," said Dubai Airports cargo chief Ali Al Jallaf.

Dubai International, the third busiest cargo airport in the world, according to Airports Council International, moved 874,828 tonnes in the first six months of 2009, reported Emirates Business. In 2008, it handled 1.83 million tonnes, up 9.38 per cent year on year.

Mr Al Jallaf admitted that Dubai's real estate and construction were down this year, but said considerable trading activity had resulted in smaller declines for the air cargo industry.

"Dubai is like a shopping mall that offers products from different countries. It is also a large wholesale market that caters to traders from within this region and Africa," he said.

"A lot of cargo for Africa goes by air as many of the African countries don't have sea access and the road network is bad. So they would rather pay more and feel safe," he said, adding that a worldwide shift to smaller consignments from large shipments would benefit air cargo.

Almost 60 to 70 per cent of the total cargo handled at Dubai International is transshipment, said Mr Al Jallaf. "Dubai offers a lot of flexibility to shippers as it is Emirates hub and cargo can be shipped to any part of the world," he said.

With Dubai International having a total cargo handling capacity of 2.6 million tonnes, Mr Al Jallaf said the turnaround time is 90 minutes and transfer time is six hours for full container load movement between the quayside at Port Rashid or Jebel Ali and the apron at Dubai Cargo Village.

(Source: www.schednet.com)