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He explained that MIDEX will first start with cargo operations to six major destinations that include Orly in France, Mumbai and Kochin in India, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Istanbul in Turkey and Beirut in Lebanon.
More destinations will be added later.
"We will operate scheduled flights daily to all six destinations with cargo initially," said Dr. Khairallah while pointing out that the new airline has reserved its option to start passenger operations at a later date.
"We will be United Arab Emirate's first dedicated cargo airline and the largest cargo operator in the Middle East with a privately owned fleet," said MIDEX President.
The airline management has been busy acquiring aircraft, having all the necessary checks done and getting them ready to take to the skies. The fleet now is six aircraft strong and all airplanes are owned by MIDEX.
"We have 54 pilots, mostly from the United States of America," Dr. Khairallah said.
He thanked the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Governments, the Civil Aviation authorities and the Management of Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports for doing everything possible to help the fourth UAE-registered carrier to take to the skies. The other three are Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia.
Daily Scheduled Flights
Mr. Jassim Al Bastaki, MIDEX Director General, pointed out that the cargo carrier will have scheduled flights daily out of Al Ain Airport, which will act as the airline's hub airport.
"The United Arab Emirates has an ideal location on the cross-roads between the East and the West. Al Ain offers several major advantages to an airline company like us that has a strict policy of being on time every time.
Our motto is 'It's on time or it's on us'," Mr. Al Bastaki said.
"The facilities at Al Ain Airport are among the best in the world. Al Ain is close to Oman and linked to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai by a four-lane highway, which most times makes travelling between Al Ain and Dubai easier and quicker than between Dubai and Sharjah," Mr Al Bastaki said.
"And for us, the crowning factor was that Al Ain is not a crowded airport like other UAE airports. We get a nice straight approach every time, saving on time and on fuel while clearances are quicker to obtain providing us with least possible turnaround time," Mr. Al Bastaki pointed out, while praising Mr. Faris Al Mazroui, Director of Al Ain Airport, for providing all possible assistance.
Mr. Anthony Graas, MIDEX Airlines' Operations Director, explained that each aircraft is capable of carrying up to 45 tonnes of cargo.
"For our network stretching from Al Ain either side to Orly and Dhaka, we will carry 200 tonnes a day which is a very good volume. We can also carry fresh produce daily as all our planes are refrigerated," he said.
Mr. Graas pointed out that all aircraft have automated landing systems. The company has acquired one of the largest spare parts inventories for the A300B4 with a spare engine to ensure that the aircraft do not have to stay on the ground waiting for parts to arrive.
MIDEX can ensure transportation and delivery of all parcels and cargo to the door of the consignee using the massive network of its subdivision Midex (International Express Courier & Cargo), which has its hub at Orly's airport.
"This will ensure that all parcels will be custom cleared and delivered across Europe, the USA and Canada in record time with systematic Proof Of Delivery. All cargo and parcel shipments will be monitored at all times using MIDEX's Track & Trace system, which we invented," Mr. Graas said.
He added that local airlines would be used to carry cargo and parcels across the GCC.
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Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
