Freight volumes and passenger traffic at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) reached record levels in 2014, according to the fourth quarter and year-end traffic report released today by operator Dubai Airports.

Freight volumes at DWC surged 262.5 per cent to 758,371 tonnes in 2014 compared to 209,209 tonnes in 2013, due to the completion of the shift of all freighter operators from DXB to DWC by May 2014. The airport registered robust growth in the fourth quarter with cargo volumes reaching 238,520 tonnes, up 278.4 per cent compared to 63,028 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2013.

DWC welcomed 845,046 passengers in its first full year of passenger operations, boosted mainly by the arrival of a number of passenger carriers during the runway refurbishment programme at Dubai International from 1 May to 20 July. 

“It was a very important year for Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central as it played a critical role during the runway refurbishment programme at Dubai International by accommodating a substantial volume of passenger traffic that was diverted from the main hub during the course of the project. The scale of DWC’s operations and the significance of its role will continue to grow in 2015, particularly as Dubai’s main hub for pure cargo operators, as airlines take advantage of the airport’s facilities, road feeder service to DXB and bonded link to the Jebel Ali port,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.