Strategic benefits of Dubai hub keep cargo volumes pumping

JOY ORLEK
FINDING CAPACITY for the ever-growing volumes both in and out of South Africa is one of the biggest challenges facing Emirates. “The past year has seen enormous cargo growth, with our increasing number of cargo-only destinations adding impetus,” says regional manager Southern Africa Ohran Abbas. Cargo manager Kum Naicker estimates that volumes grew 40% in 2006, with the airline’s mix of belly-hold and freighter capacity providing in excess of 700 tons weekly. “More and more local shippers are recognising the strategic benefits of hubbing in Dubai which serves all five continents,” says Abbas. “And while a lot of cargo is destined for Dubai, there’s also a large amount moving to the Middle East which we cover quite extensively – the advantage is that it’s all widebody.” According to Naicker, there’s been a fair amount of construction equipment moving to the region. “And we were fortunate to send a lot of demining dogs from here to Afghanistan – and that includes owners and handlers. This in addition to the traditional fruits and flowers.” A number of Aid organisations have also set up in Dubai because of its strategic advantages. “This means that if there’s a need for speedy deployment of provisions or emergency equipment, the quickest source is Dubai.” In line with industry trends, imports have outpaced exports for Emirates at the rate of around 60 to 40%, as Chinese goods flood the local market. “And that’s a market we cover extensively,” says Abbas, “with freighters out of Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as line flights on the Beijing route.” Europe is also a popular import source, and Naicker believes one of the reasons is the multiple destinations served in each country. “In Germany, for example, we serve Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Hamburg daily, and the same is true of the United Kingdom where we fly to Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester. For the future, Africa is high on the Emirates radar screen. “We already have freighter services to Addis Ababa, Lilongwe, Kenya and Johannesburg, and are looking at Djibouti.” Keeping up with the growth is a challenge in itself, says Abbas. “We tend to outgrow our facilities almost as soon as they are built. Dubai is currently building a mega terminal – one of the largest airports in the world – in Jebel Ali which will have a magnificent cargo facility with six runways. It is expected to be completed by 2015 to 2018.”