Volumes fall at Abu Dhabi in October and November

January 6, 2016

Abu Dhabi International Airport saw freight volumes plunge in both October and November last year, which is in stark contrast to the significant rise it saw in passenger numbers.

The gateway’s operator Abu Dhabi Airports says in October the airport handled 69,005 tonnes, a 4.4 per cent fall on the 72,170 tonnes, which was recorded in the same month in 2014.

Abu Dhabi International Airport then saw a 7.2 per cent fall in cargo tonnage to 70,276 in November last year, which was a 7.2 per cent drop on the 75,726 tonnes in same month in 2014.

The year-to-date figure at Abu Dhabi International Airport after 11 months of last year was though up 4.6 per cent on the same period in 2014, reaching 760,472 tonnes, a rise on the 727,333 tonnes in 2014.

Last month, the International Air Transport Association forecasted freight volumes into the Middle East may slowdown in 2016. The region has seen substantial growth in the last few years in cargo tonnage.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.