Abu Dhabi International Airport saw cargo volumes increase by 2.1 per cent year on year (YOY) in July.

The airport handled 68,888 tonnes at its three terminals in the month, a rise on the 67,456 tonnes in July 2014. This was largely due to Etihad Cargo, which represents 91.5 per cent of the total cargo at Abu Dhabi and saw volumes grow YOY by three per cent in July.

For the first seven months of 2015, Abu Dhabi has handled 483,171 tonnes of freight, an 8.5 per cent YOY increase on the 445,341 tonnes recorded in the same period in 2014.

The growth in July is slightly down on the surge in first half of the year, as after six months the airport saw a YOY increase in cargo volumes of 9.6 per cent, handling 414,203 tonnes.

This year, the airport has seen significant monthly cargo increases including a 19.3 per cent YOY rise in April to 71,650 tonnes, and a 12.6 per cent YOY surge in February to 64,067 tonnes.

Abu Dhabi’s airfreight volumes are expected to further grow when it opens its Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) in 2017.

Abu Dhabi Airports, chief operations officer, Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, says the MTB is being built to meet increasing growth and adds as each day passes the project resembles more closely what it will look like once completed.

Last year, Abu Dhabi saw cargo volumes rise by 12.8 per cent to 797,069 tonnes, but it is on target to substantially surpass that figure in 2015.