Dubai World Central (DWC), the world's first purpose-built aerotropolis, handled 53,974 tonnes of freight in the first three months of the year, thus registering a year-on-year increase of 7.8 per cent compared to 50,062 tonnes last year, according to a traffic report issued by Dubai Airports today.

Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both the emirate's airports Dubai International and DWC, which is being prepared for the launch of passenger operations in October later this year.

The moderate growth is the result of the high base of traffic developed following two years of rapid expansion as well as the periodic fluctuations of freight volumes carried by charter-driven operations during the period under review, the Dubai Airports said in its report.

The air traffic movements at DWC too witnessed solid growth rising 16.8 per cent to 4,104 in the first three months of 2013 compared to 3,513 movements during the same period last year, it added.
 
Commenting on the growth, Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports said, "Maintaining triple digit air freight traffic expansion is a difficult task even in Dubai.”

“The next step in the evolution of the airport will see continued cargo traffic growth, the commencement of passenger operations slated for October 27 with launch carriers Wizz Air and nasair, and the hosting of its first ever Dubai Airshow from November 17. All will play a role in building our new airport’s growing brand reputation,” observed Griffith.

Dubai Airports’ total cargo volumes are expected to top 3 million tonnes by 2015 and an increasing portion of that growth is expected to spill over to DWC, he added.-TradeArabia News Service