ABU Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is planning to revamp its under-utilised Al Ain Airport into a regional cargo hub.

The airport recently received a major cargo boost when Empost selected Al Ain Airport as its new hub for logistics services. Empost wants to become a major air express player as it intends to operate a fleet of around 50 aircraft by 2012.

"We see Al Ain as an opportunity for the cargo market and a free trade zone. That will likely be the vision for Al Ain airport," said ADAC's airport planning manager James Robinson.

Robinson cannot yet provide details of projected expenditure on building new facilities. But he says ADAC is responding to market demand: "We do not intend to overbuild."