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Dubai Customs leads a global logistics bridge in strategic partnership with Emirates SkyCargo, integrating operations at Dubai International Airport Cargo Village and Al Maktoum International Airport Air Cargo Centre to accelerate clearance procedures while bolstering security and capacity. The collaboration has ensured uninterrupted flows of essential goods amid regional supply chain pressures, supporting both UAE and GCC food and pharmaceutical security. Officials highlighted how the initiative aligns with broader efforts to position Dubai as a resilient trade hub, with 24-hour operations and expanded inspection teams enabling faster processing of priority shipments.
Official figures show air cargo imports cleared through the bridge rose from 26.6 million kilograms in January 2026 to more than 48.2 million kilograms in May, an increase exceeding 82 percent. Maximum daily volumes handled grew from 1.24 million kilograms to 2.11 million kilograms over the same period, according to data from the partnership. By May the system had supported 529 logistics truck trips that moved 2,636 tonnes of essential commodities, helping sustain regional supply chains without disruption.
The partnership leverages smart systems including the Green Corridor and Shahin programmes, which create dedicated fast pathways for critical items such as food and pharmaceuticals. Advanced digital alignment between air and sea operations allows precise tracking and seamless transfer of goods from maritime containers to air freight. Dubai Customs demonstrated its X-ray inspection technology at Jebel Ali Port during related discussions, cutting manual inspection times from six hours to five minutes while increasing overall capacity.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, acting director of air cargo centres management at Dubai Customs, described the initiative as a valuable opportunity to align public and private sector perspectives on trade facilitation. Abbas Haji, vice president of air cargo operations at Emirates SkyCargo, stated that cooperation enhances the ability to track shipments accurately and deliver integrated solutions ensuring on-time delivery with full regulatory compliance. Hendrik Lissens, vice president of operations planning and project delivery, added that connectivity between maritime and air transport encompasses data sharing and stakeholder coordination to minimise delays.
Waleed bin Darwish, director of sea customs centres management, affirmed that Dubai Customs continues developing a smart cargo monitoring environment that balances speed with efficiency through automation. The approach maintains the highest international standards while reducing operational costs for businesses using the logistics bridge. Such measures form part of ongoing coordination that has reinforced Dubai’s role in global trade networks.
Emirates SkyCargo, which transports cargo to more than 140 destinations across six continents according to company information, benefits from the deepened integration that extends its hub capabilities in Dubai. The partnership supports the emirate’s D33 economic agenda, which targets expansion of the logistics sector as a cornerstone of diversified growth. Joint initiatives are expected to launch in coming months to further enhance sustainable trade practices and investor confidence in the ecosystem.
