DUBAI – Construction has begun on Emirates SkyCargo’ s cargo terminal and supporting facilities at Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport, planned to be the base of the freighter operations from May 2014.

In addition to the cargo terminal, facilities and infrastructure will be built including 46 truck docks and 80 truck parking spaces, 12 aircraft stands in front of the terminal, while interface facilities will be built at Dubai International Airport.

Construction company, Amana Steel Buildings Contracting LLC  started with the foundation work for the cargo terminal, with the first phase to be completed in December 2013. The first section will be delivered to Emirates SkyCargo by the beginning of April next year and full completion planned by mid-September.

Emirates SkyCargo currently operates ten aircraft - eight Boeing 777F aircraft and two Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft, will be based at World Central Al Maktoum International Airport.

Road feeder services between the two airports for connecting cargoes will be introduced to maintain the existing transhipment times between freighters to the passenger fleet and vice versa.
 
Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, cargo, said: “The planned move of our freighter operations from Dubai International Airport to Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport is the next step in Emirates SkyCargo’ s overall expansion and growth programme. It provides us with a brand new facility for our freighter operations and will increase capacity and enable us to meet our long-term objectives.

“While the site is being developed, it remains business as usual for us. We are working very closely with Dubai Airports to ensure a smooth transition of our freighter operations. The move does not include passenger fleet belly cargo operations which will continue to operate from Dubai International Airport.”

The terminal will have an initial capacity to manage 700 000 tonnes of cargo annul. It provides Emirates SkyCargo with the space to have a larger perishables handling area, with a pharmaceutical storage area, in order to expand its cool chain products and services.