Sharjah airport to post rise in traffic

Sharjah International Airport is on course to record substantial increases in its cargo and passenger figures this year , Ali Salem Al Midfa, administrative and commercial director, stated yesterday.

"As at end-November, freight handled has jumped 21 per cent to 454,138 tonnes, while passenger movements have climbed 17.73 per cent to 924,175," he said.

Sea-air cargo throughput has also risen 5.72 per cent to 24,535 tonnes, while aircraft movements edged 1.09 per cent higher to 22,529.

The official attributed the all-round growth to better cooperation between the various departments involved, including police, customs, immigration, and its numerous concessionaires at the airport.

"Our recent service introductions - the shuttle bus service, as also visa on arrival facilities, working out in coordination with our travel wing Sata (Sharjah Airport Travel Agency) - have also been contributory factors."

Going into the new year, Al Midfa asserted the airport would be more aggressive in marketing itself internationally through increased participation in overseas industry fora, while continuously seeking to upgrade service levels. But he felt 2003 would prove a tough period for the industry worldwide.

"Any growth will come about primarily due to existing carriers stepping up their frequencies, rather than new carriers coming into the regional market," he felt.

He attributed the more challenging climate to several airlines - particularly those originating from the Far East - having become far more aggressive in skies over the Middle East, and thus causing the cake to shrink slightly for regional operators.

He however largely discounted the possibility of any war in the Middle East causing more than a blip on the radar-screens of regional operators, pointing out: "We've been contending with a problem over Iraq for 12 years now."

Given the difficult outlook, he felt a 5 per cent growth in 2003 over this year's figures would be a realistic target to shoot at.