UAE cargo boom goes into 11th month

Dubai Airports reported a 21.5 percent increase in August cargo traffic to 198,543 metric tons handled compared to 163,427 metric tons in the same month last year.

The company said it was the 11th consecutive month of double-digit growth. Year-to-date cargo volume rose 25 percent to total 1,498,244 metric tons compared to 1,198,546 metric tons during the same period in 2009.

"Growth continues from the very strong base that was established last year and is largely the result of the rapid expansion of flydubai, which is now the second largest source of passenger traffic at Dubai International, and the broadening of Emirates' already impressive network with the addition of new destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia," said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

In related news, Etihad Crystal Cargo renewed its lease contract with World Airways for two MD-11 freighters. The company has been leasing the aircraft since 2007 in support of its cargo network to Asia, Europe and Africa.
(Source:www.joc.com)