Air movements rose 37 per cent as in the first half of this year at the Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, as compared to the same period last year.

The jump in the air movements was driven by a surge in general aviation and training flights since the start of the year, said a statement.

Recent fluctuations in charter traffic saw freight volumes at DWC-Al Maktoum dip in the first six months of 2013, it said.

Freight volumes fell 3.2 per cent in the first six months of the year, as compared to the same period last year. The fall comes as freight volumes stabilise after the rapid growth in the first few years of cargo operations at the airport. DWC opened for freight operations in June 2010.

The introduction of daily flights by Emirates SkyCargo and Air France-KLM over the next 12 months is expected to contribute to the continuing growth at DWC, said the statement.

Emirates SkyCargo said that all dedicated freight flights will operate from its new base at DWC – Al Maktoum International, while Air France-KLM said it will relocate its regional hub to the airport from August.

“The introduction of daily scheduled cargo flights by Emirates SkyCargo as well as Air France-KLM will provide a significant fillip to growth. As the airport matures we will not be able to sustain the triple-digit increases experienced in the first few years of operations but we expect volume growth to resume, albeit at a more moderate pace,” said Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths.

DWC will also open for passenger traffic from October 27, with low-cost carriers Hungary-based Wizz Air and Saudi-based nasair beginning flights from the airport. - TradeArabia News Service