The total volume of air freight handled by dnata at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport has surpassed 1 million tonnes.

“This is a hugely significant milestone for all of us at Dubai World Central,” said Bernd Struck, senior vice president of UAE cargo at dnata. “The growth we have experienced over the last five years is thanks to not only dnata, but the combined hard work and commitment of Dubai Airports and all of the stakeholders involved in creating a world-class logistics platform with unparalleled connectivity, speed and efficiency.”

dnata said that its freight volume had grown by about 90% since its first full year of operations in 2011, attributing the growth to factors such as Dubai’s strategic location, slot-free access for carriers, capacity, infrastructure, low costs and 24/7 operations.

According to dnata, it has handled a range of unique and unusual cargo at the airport, including a 95-tonne gas turbine which was the world’s largest piece of cargo, an original Batmobile and relief shipments from the regional World Health Organization.

When fully developed in the mid-2020s, Al Maktoum International Airport will be capable of handling 16 tonnes of freight per year, according to dnata.