Dubai Customs has cleared nearly 50 million kilogrammes of imported goods through the emirate's two major air cargo hubs in May 2026 alone, underscoring the city's growing role as a resilient logistics gateway amid regional trade pressures.
The surge came through an integrated system developed with Emirates SkyCargo, the logistics division of Emirates Airline, covering operations at Dubai International Airport Cargo Village and Maktoum International Airport Air Cargo Centre. The partnership aimed to speed up customs clearance and safeguard the supply of food and pharmaceuticals across the UAE and the wider Gulf region.
Figures released by Dubai Customs show total cleared imports climbed from 26.5 million kilogrammes in January to 48.2 million kilogrammes in May, a jump of more than 82 percent. Daily peak handling capacity also grew substantially over the same period, rising from just over 1.2 million kilogrammes to more than 2.1 million kilogrammes.
Beyond air cargo, the two organisations ran 529 truck logistics trips through May, moving 2,636 tonnes of essential goods including meat, pharmaceutical supplies, and general merchandise to markets across the GCC.
Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, credited the results to sustained investment in Dubai's logistics infrastructure under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director-General of Dubai Customs, pointed to the Green Corridor and Shahin initiatives, which fast-track priority shipments, as key drivers behind the improved turnaround times.
Badr Abbas of Emirates SkyCargo said close coordination between the airline and government agencies had been central to keeping vital shipments moving. Dubai Customs said it plans to keep expanding digital services and smart systems in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to maintain the emirate's position as a global trade hub.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
