Dubai to restrict cargo imports into airport to clear shipment backlog

Dubai will restrict imports of cargo into its international airport for six days from Tuesday to clear a backlog caused by “extraordinarily high” volumes of inbound shipments.Dnata, the cargo handling arm of government-owned airline group Emirates, said the restrictions would also include transit cargo en route to other destinations in the United Arab Emirates. Certain categories of essential freight would be exempted. “We are currently working around the clock to clear the backlog of unprocessed cargo at Dubai International Airport, caused by extraordinarily high volumes of inbound cargo to Dubai, and will endeavour to resume normal operations at the earliest,” a dnata spokesperson said. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during this unprecedented time.” Dubai, a regional trade, tourism and financial hub, has been dragged into global supply chain chaos two weeks after the opening of the delayed Expo 2020 world fair, where 192 nations are participating in a massive event that runs until the end of March. The Gulf emirate, which kept its economy more open than its peers during the coronavirus pandemic, has witnessed a sharp recovery in recent months with an influx of wealthy investors snapping up luxury property. Logistics executives blamed the cargo logjam on labour shortages, saying newly trained staff are being brought in to deal with the surging volumes.<br/>