•Maximus Air Cargo's Antonov 124-100 is largest civilian aircraft to land at Dubai World Central -Al Maktoum International

•Maximus, the largest UAE all cargo operator, joins the stable of cargo operators at the growing airport

•President and CEO of Maximus Air Cargo pledges his commitment to the vision of Dubai World Central

Dubai, July 14 2010 - Maximus Air Cargo, the UAE's largest all air cargo operator, went big true to its name last night at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The Antonov 124-100, a beast of an aircraft with a payload of up to 120 tonnes, became the largest civilian aircraft to touch the tarmac at the recently launched Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport.

This was another significant milestone for cargo operations at Dubai's new airport, which was launched by Dubai Airports on June 27, 2010. The first phase of the airport has a capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and five million passengers per annum.  Once completed, it will be the world's largest passenger and cargo hub with a capacity of over 12 million tones of cargo a year and in excess of 160 million passengers. 

It was significant that UAE-grown Maximus Air Cargo, part of Abu Dhabi Aviation Group and SCATA Cargo Operator of the year, made a fittingly heavyweight debut to phase one's cargo operations. Commenting on this Andrew Walsh, VP Cargo and Logistics Dubai Airports said

"We welcome Maximus Air Cargo to the growing stable of airlines at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International. Cargo operations are growing fast as the airport offers attractive commercial opportunities and is already on course to become a global cargo hub. We look forward to working with Maximus in the future." 

Fathi H. Buhazza, President and CEO of Maximus Air Cargo and founder of Care by Air said

"This is a symbolic occasion.  As the UAE's largest all air cargo operator we are delighted that our Antonov 124 has landed at the airport for the first time.  This is the start of a long relationship and we are proud of the great vision of the UAE in developing a global, commercial, trade and logistics hub that will facilitate the region's growth. We wholeheartedly support this vision."

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:
MAXIMUS AIR CARGO
Maximus Air Cargo, an Abu Dhabi Aviation Group company, was established in 2005 to provide tailored solutions for moving outsized cargo.  After operating for only just over 5 years in the region, it is now a significant regional air cargo carrier and cargo aircraft wet lease operator, employing more than 250 staff and operating a fleet of eight all-cargo Antonov An-124-100, Airbus A300-600RF, Ilyushin IL-76TD, and Lockheed Hercules L382G aircraft across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Maximus currently runs regular scheduled cargo services on behalf of Etihad Crystal Cargo and is the appointed exclusive air relief support partner for the UAE Red Crescent

DUBAI AIRPORTS

·         Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both of Dubai's airports - Dubai International as well as Dubai World Central -- Al Maktoum International.

·         According to ACI's latest figures, Dubai International is the fourth busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic and fifth busiest for International cargo, offering connections to over 220 destinations across six continents on more than 130 airlines.

·         DWC's phase 1 features one A380 capable runway, 64 remote stands, one cargo terminal with annual capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and a passenger terminal building designed to accommodate five million passengers per year.

·         Upon completion DWC will feature five runways, up to four terminal buildings and capacity for 12 million tonnes of freight and 160 million passengers per annum.

·         Dubai World Central --Al Maktoum International passenger operations are currently slated to start up at the end of March 2011 in concert with the IATA schedule change.

For any media queries, please contact:
Charlotte Sherwin
Tel: +9714 425 0336 / +97150 708 4390
Fax: +9714 425 0335
E-mail: charlotte@zed-communications.com   

© Press Release 2010