Dubai international airport started the new year in fine form with cargo volumes continuing their strong upward trend with the fourth consecutive month of double-digit increases, surging 31.5 per cent.

Dubai Airports Cargo handled 171,453 tonnes of freight in January 2010 compared to 130,375 tonnes during the same month in 2009. “Dubai is on the leading edge of a rebound in global air traffic,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

“Dubai International has been registering robust growth since the second quarter of 2009 when the industry’s key hubs were still recording negative growth. January’s impressive increases at Dubai International are a promising sign that an industry recovery is indeed underway,” he added.

Dubai International attributes the steep January increase in freight volumes as a result of a surge in economic activity, as well as the continued expansion of Emirates Skycargo both of which contributed to a 39.9 per cent rise in trans-shipments, a 33.6 per cent increase in exports and a 29.3 per cent uplift in imports.

“Freight growth is likely to continue throughout the rest of the year as additional capacity comes on line and global cargo movement picks up,” said Griffiths. A portion of that traffic growth will be accommodated at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International when it opens in June for cargo operations.

Overall, Dubai International recorded a 5.6 per cent cargo growth and a 9.2 per cent passenger traffic increase in 2009 compared to a 10.1 per cent contraction in international cargo volume and a 3.5 per cent downturn in international passenger traffic globally.