Wednesday June 17th, 2020
Sharjah Airport has increased its competitiveness, as a major destination on the international air cargo map, by effectively responding to the needs of cargo airlines, international air cargo agents, and logistics providers.
Currently facilitating the operations of more than 50 flights per week, and expanding its cargo network to over 60 destinations during May 2020, the airport continues to be a major distribution point for essential goods in the region.
Kenya Airways
Sharjah Airport continues to expand its cargo network with Kenya Airways Cargo commencing its schedule operations into Sharjah. Kenya Airways operates twice-weekly cargo service with Boeing787, connecting Sharjah to Nairobi every Sunday and Wednesday. This new service brings the number of airlines and freighter operators to 22 international and regional and local airlines in May 2020, including seven international scheduled carriers, and 15 irregular cargo airline.
Development Strategies
His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority said: “We are working round the clock to provide the highest level of facilities to our clients in various fields, including the air cargo sector. To keep pace with the increasing demand and growth of this sector in the region, we continue to invest in developing the Air Cargo Center by providing state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.”
Al Midfa added that Sharjah Airport remains a major destination on the international air cargo map, as a result of its efforts and investment in infrastructure, and by strengthening the relationships with existing and new partners.
“We are very pleased to commence our operations to Sharjah Airport and partner with the dynamic team at the airport,” said Dick Murianki, Director Kenya Airways Cargo. “This route serves as a strategic gateway linking cargo in Africa to the Middle East and other parts of the world. The COVID-19 crisis has come with many negatives, but it has also come with opportunities for us to leverage on, particularly in our cargo business.”
“We aspire to keep growing this business and be able to foster the economic value chains within Kenya and the rest of Africa. Commencing operations at Sharjah Airport is a step in the right direction,” stated Mr. Murianki.
Sharjah Airport is a leading air cargo hub in the region, with five cargo terminals that have a total floor area of 32,000 square meters, in addition to cargo aircraft parking spaces, equipped to handle 13 wide-body aircrafts simultaneously.