Empost makes history with the launch of scheduled Freighter operations

The maiden Empost scheduled Freighter flight an Airbus 300 with a capacity of 44 tonnes touched down safely at the Al Ain International Airport this morning, making Empost the first local courier company in the region to do so.

Addressing a gathering of VIPs and media officials, in the course of the event at the Al Ain International Airport, His Excellency Abdulla Al Daboos, Director General of Emirates Post and Chairman of Empost, described the launch of Empost scheduled Freighter Operations as a moment of pride for the UAE and the Emirates Post Group. The event marks the dawn of a new chapter in Empost's transformation from a local courier company to an International Freighter operator, thus making it a total logistics solutions provider.

"Empost is the first Scheduled Freighter Operator to choose Al Ain International Airport as its regional hub. The Airport, fully equipped to handle large volumes of cargo, is strategically located, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai reachable in an hour's time. This move by Empost will also place the beautiful city of Al Ain on the global map,"

Mr. Al Daboos said.

"The launch of Empost scheduled Freighter Operations is historic and our expansion plans have been progressing over the past four years as per the vision of the management. Our entry into the Freighter Operations, Trucking and Logistics will add a new dimension to the organisation," Mr. Al Daboos added.

"It is indeed a proud moment for all of us to witness yet another local enterprise reach an important landmark in its journey. This achievement of Empost goes on to prove that the UAE is among other leading nations within the various functions of the transportation sector. While Emirates, Etihad and Arabia Airways have been a success story, I am sure Empost, being the first specialised Local Freight Operator in UAE, will soon follow suit.

Empost Scheduled freighter Operations debut flight has been part of a long term plan including a fleet expansion of 50 Aircrafts by the year 2012. The Scheduled Freighter Operations will be implemented in four phases that will network with major cities in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Europe by the end of 2008.

During the first phase of operations, Empost Freighter will operate two flights a week from Dhaka to Al Ain and onward via Istanbul to Amsterdam. While Al Ain will be the main hub for Empost Freighter Operations, the European sector will be connected through its regional hub in Amsterdam. Empost also has finalised a European trucking network to offer its valued Customers transhipments throughout Europe.

Towards the end of the Event, Empost's CEO, Sultan Al Midfa, concluded: "We are very proud to introduce our own scheduled Freighter Operations that will not only add a new dimension to the recently introduced freight forwarding solutions of Empost, but will also help the ever growing demand for capacity within the Indian sub continent .

"Empost is at the threshold of a very significant phase of diversification which will help us to compete with other leading operators in the region.

"The boom in the Air freight industry within this region and the subcontinent has been creating a great amount of demand for more capacity. Our freighter operations will be able to cater to the capacity demand and will encourage exporters even further."

Over the past 10 years Empost has established itself as a household name in the UAE and today it is recognised for its Customised, Efficient and Reliable services. Empost now offers Freight forwarding, Warehousing and Distribution, Packing and Removals and land transportation. With operations in Asia, Africa, Europe and now the Americas, Empost has expanded from a local courier company to become a worldwide integrated total logistics solutions provider.