Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport recorded a 7.7% year-on-year rise in freight volume to 888,714 tonnes in 2015, according to statistics released by Dubai Airports.

This was despite a 9.9% fall in traffic in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

“DWC is entering an exciting new phase of its development as we expand the facility to prepare for additional operations from flydubai,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, which owns and operates both Al Maktoum and Dubai International. “Just five years after its opening, DWC has risen up the ranks to take the #18 position in terms of international cargo volumes.”

DWC is the base for Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter operations, at the recently inaugurated SkyCentral.