WITH BUSINESS at record levels, Sharjah Airport has embarked on a major expansion programme to propel it well into the new millennium.
In the past five years the airport registered a 600% increase in its cargo throughput, according to director general Dr Ghanem Al Hajri. In 1998 it was the first ever Middle Eastern Airport to figure in the top 30 worldwide air cargo hubs.
Its expansion plans for this year include the completion of Cargo Terminal Number Four which will offer an additional 8 880 square metres of floor space, with an additional facility planned by the turn of the century.
Despite the growth in passenger business and facilities, the airport continues to focus on cargo, which accounts for in excess of 60% of total business.
A unique feature of an airport of Sharjah's size is the fact that chartered or regular cargo flights can be scheduled or rescheduled to suit the customer's needs.
The aviation business moves at a very fast pace, and because of the logistics involved, last minute changes are very usual. We feel it is our responsibility to accommodate the needs of the client as much as we can.
The airport has also established its reputation as a sea-air cargo centre, and is seeing intermodal volumes rise. In 1991 figures stood at 17 000 tonnes. In 1997 55 000 tonnes were carried.
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