Dubai, Emirates lead ME airlines’ freight growth
dubai — Middle Eastern carriers posted the second fastest year-onyear growth in freight volumes in April 2018, up 7.3 per cent, driven by demand for products on the back of airport traffic growth at key hubs like Dubai International and the growth of Emirates airline.
While the total share of the Middle East of global freight volume stood at 13.7 per cent at the end of April 2018, according to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) figures released on Wednesday, which also showed that demand grew faster than capacity, which increased by 4.8 per cent in April.
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said key factors that have driven up cargo volumes for Middle Eastern carriers range from more imports into Qatar in the wake of a blockade, as well as demand for products due to airport traffic growth at key hubs like Dubai International. This has led to cargo growth continuing and it’s likely to remain that way for the rest of the year.
Considering strong growth for air cargo in the region and the need for a dedicated cargo airline, Ahmad said that given the superb cargo carrying lift capabilities of airplanes like the 787 and 777, it’s unlikely the region will see a new specialist all-cargo airline emerge in the GCC.
“Start-up costs would be high, accessing new freighters would be nigh on impossible given the time it takes from ordering a new jet to delivery while airlines are also making use of their passenger jets to haul freight — thus dispensing the need to heavily invest in freighter-only aeroplanes,” Ahmad said. He noted that Emirates is a primary winner because of its massive 777 fleet, including 777F’s that have helped it to proliferate it’s cargo network.
The Iata said in a statement that the increase in Middle Eastern cargo volumes mainly reflects developments from a year ago rather than a substantive change in the near-term trend. — waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com