JEDDAH – Saudi Airlines Cargo continues to reinforce its performance in the UAE market, confirming its position as one of the leading cargo airlines operating out of Dubai and Sharjah. According to data recently released by the Department of Civil Aviation in Dubai (DCA), in 2012 Saudia Cargo uplifted 12,242 tons of cargo on its passenger aircrafts out of Dubai, making it the second largest airline carrying cargo out of Dubai in the bellies of passenger aircraft. The UAE is an important market for the airline, which currently operates five weekly freighters from Dubai World Central/Sharjah. In 2012 Saudia Cargo recorded a healthy growth rate out of the UAE of 27 percent, where total cargo uplifted was more than 32 million kilos compared with 25 million kilos in 2011. "This is an impressive achievement considering the current challenges facing the air cargo world," said Amer Abu Obeid, Sales Director for MENAT (Middle East, North Africa & Turkey) at Saudi Airlines Cargo. Saudi Airlines Cargo operates scheduled freighter services with 13 freighters and sells the belly-capacity on 145 passenger aircraft for Saudi Arabia's flag carrier Saudia, spanning a rapidly expanding global network of 225 destinations. The cargo airline also provides cost-effective and practical worldwide charter flight solutions from a growing fleet of dedicated charter aircraft. — SG
