Sharjah

Sharjah International Airport registered an over four per cent rise in freight-handling operations to 534,899 tonnes in 1998.

The growth in freight traffic despite the generally adverse economic conditions worldwide will likely enable it to retain its status as the top cargo airport in the Middle East.

The airport was recognized as the Middle East's leading cargo airport in 1997 by Geneva- based Air Cargo International. Sharjah was the first in the region to record freight traffic totaling over 500,000 tonnes. Throughput that year witnessed a strong 60.36 per cent surge to 514,051 tonnes.

Airport officials yesterday indicated that the level attained was satisfactory and fell in line with earlier projections. They pointed out that the rise could have been even higher, but for the hiccups in August and September, when uncertain conditions in Russia affected flight operations and ultimately proved a drag on overall growth figures.

They however added that the year had ended on a strong note, with November witnessing the highest monthly growth of 11.22 per cent.

"And while economic cycles and currency crises may affect the producing countries in the Far

East and elsewhere, Sharjah's hub status and its location between East and West should see cargo through the region continuing to grow," Dr Ghanem Al Hajri, director-general of the airport, had stated earlier.

Cargo operators confirmed that the year ahead appeared more promising than it had in mid-1998, partly because they had diversified their operations to include more destinations. They said they had learnt from the mid-year reversals, suffered due to an "over-reliance" on the Russian market.

The data issued by Sharjah Airport Authority's marketing and research department showed sea-air cargo throughput soaring 47.76 per cent year-on-year to 47,332 tonnes, despite a weak second half last year. The rise came atop an 18.38 per cent jump in 1997 to 32,034 tonnes.

Meanwhile, aircraft movement contracted 3.76 per cent to 28,336, after witnessing a 10.47 per cent increase to 29,651 in 1997. This was reflected in passenger movements through the terminal as well, with the total number shrinking 4.13 per cent to 971,075. The number of passengers using Sharjah had topped the one million mark in 1997.