Dubai World Central (DWC) handled a total of 229,831 tonnes of freight during the first quarter (Q1) of the year, as against 211,144 tonnes handled during Q1 2017, reflecting a growth of 8.9 per cent, said a report issued by Dubai Airports.

During the first three months of 2018, passenger traffic at DWC totalled 334,455 a growth of 0.2 per cent compared to 333,780 passengers recorded during same time frame in 2017. The most significant increase in figures came from the CIS (191,026 passengers / +217 per cent year on year) predominantly due to the increase in Russian charter aircraft operating to the airport following the waiver of visa requirements for Russian travellers to the UAE.

 Eastern Europe was the second largest contributor to the traffic at DWC with 60,592, followed by the Middle East (23,404 passengers). During the first quarter, some of the top destination cities for passenger volumes were Moscow (36,560 passengers), Tatarstan (16,717 passengers), and Bashkortostan (16,897 passengers).

A total of fifteen passenger carriers operate an average of 153 flights weekly to more than 30 international destinations across 10 countries from DWC in Q1, which is also home to 20 scheduled cargo operators that fly to as many as 68 destinations around the world.

Dubai Airports manages the operation and development of both of Dubai’s airports – DXB and DWC. – TradeArabia News Service