There is a popular notion that
overnight will appear a phalanx of big new purpose-built air cargo
facilities to serve Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
That
reality is hard to dispute what with huge projects afoot almost everywhere
you look at DXB.
Places in the desert
that for centuries have stood as little more than shifting whispering
sands are coming alive asUAE flexes out as a big new world center
of culture and commerce.
One area
down the road apiece from Dubai is being developed into what will
one day arise as an entire new airport city called Airport Central
at Jebel Ali.
If all goes according
to plan Airport Central will be the biggest airport on the planet.
But while Airport Central will surely
appear, that project will develop over a period of time, several years
at minimum.
In the meantime the
big number in the Dubai air cargo business and dominant force for
continued air trade growth across the region, will remain Dubai International
Airport.
Right now central to the
near and long term air cargo plan are operations of the Dubai Cargo
Village (DCV).
 When
DCV was awarded the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Award, AFSCA (formerly
known as the Asian Freight Industry Awards, AFIA) for the twelfth
consecutive year earlier this month, as Best Airport Middle East for
its cargo facilities and services, no one was prouder of that auspicious
and never before realized achievement than Abdulla Mohammed Bin Khediya,
DCV Senior General Manager.
HH Sheikh
Ahmed awarding Mr. Ali Al Jallaf, Director, Dubai Cargo Village, Mr.
Khediya and the team (pictured here) said:
“Standing
at the crossroads between the east and the west, Dubai offers vast
opportunity for trade and business.
“We
aim to offer the best possible service and facility to the industry.”
For the record AFIA is the only Asian
freight poll where customers, and not a panel of judges, are asked
to vote for the best service providers. In the Middle East Dubai International
Airport polled 66% of the votes.
Mr.
Ali Al Jallaf, Director Dubai Cargo Village, responded:
'The
Cargo Village takes pride in the standard of services and facilities
provided.
“We aim to continuously
upgrade our standards and provide even better service.”
|
|
 Mr.
Khediya added:
“In 2005 Dubai
Cargo Village handled 1.3 million tons.
“We
expect to handle about 1.5 million this year.
“Right
now 50% of the construction work at the Cargo Mega Terminal is completed.
“The big new facility will be
ready to operate by next year increasing cargo handling capacity to
2.5 million tons per annum.
“For
the record that volume of cargo throughput would eclipse airports
such as LHR, JFK and even CDG.
“Today
Dubai Cargo village is ranked 18th in the world.”
Few
doubt that the gateway is hard against the process of moving on up
that list.
Abdulla Khediya sits
in a clean bright office dressed immaculately in the traditional jallaba
favored by many business executives in the Middle East.
His
conversation like his appearance is formal but punctuated with a sense
of interest and discovery that immediately puts the visitor at ease.
Little wonder that scores of companies
from countries around the world who occupy office space inside DCV,
find this the ideal location to build their business.
“A
strong tradition in trade & commerce has been one of the main
factors contributing to the success of Dubai's growth, both regionally
and internationally.
Today with
the ability to move more than 20 freighters a day with a 90 minute
turn around for a fully laden 747, Dubai Cargo Village's state-of-the
art handling facilities & excellent administration are coupled
with a business friendly climate, ideal location & dedication
to efficiency & service.
Dubai
Cargo Village has and will continue to play a vital part in Dubai's
continuing growth & success.
“Dubai
Cargo Village continues to evolve and develop to meet the ever-changing
market needs, and respond to new needs.”
For
the record, Dubai Cargo Village was established in 1991 to handle
all air cargo operations at Dubai International Airport.
The
main cargo facilities that form “Village Central” are
quite international as a community of airlines and various support
organizations ensconced within the main office block, that are alive
and at work around the clock.
“We
have worked hard to make the world aware of Dubai as a trade and commerce
capital of the Middle East and the Dubai Cargo Village has played
a vital part in Dubai's continuing growth & success.
“The
best is yet to come,” smiles Abdulla Khediya. (Geofrey Arend) |
