Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific will move its freighter operations from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) from February 1, 2014.

Dubai is Cathay Pacific’s transit hub for its European destinations including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Paris and Milan.

The airline currently operates seven weekly freighter services and 14 weekly passenger services in Dubai. While the freighter operation will move to DWC next year, the passenger operations will remain at Dubai International.

Cathay Pacific country manager for UAE and Qatar, Brian Yuen said: “Dubai is an important market and a major transit point for Cathay Pacific. Delivering service and operational excellence to our customers has been the core of our business for decades. DWC is designed to support logistics well into the future and we believe the move will better serve us and bring our service level to a new high.”

Helen Woodrow, VP of Forecasting & Research at Dubai Airports, said: “As an upcoming cargo hub located at the heart of a unique development and connected to the Jebel Ali Freezone and Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central offers many advantages for cargo operators. It’s a win-win proposition for the airline and the airport.”

Cathay Pacific Airways is one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers. It flies to a total of 43 freighter destinations around the world with a fleet of 24 Boeing 747 freighters. The group recently launched new scheduled freighter services to Guadalajara, Mexico. – TradeArabia News Service