MIDEX Airlines welcomes B747 to Al Ain International

On its first flight into Al Ain International Airport supporting the livery of MIDEX Airlines, the 108-ton capacity aircraft was welcomed, among others, by Dr. Issam Khairallah, President of MIDEX, Jassim Al Bastaki, Director-General of MIDEX and Faris Al Mazrouei, Al Ain Airport General Manager - Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

"The Boeing B747-200F freighter is a fantastic addition to our fleet and will be key to our ability to embrace larger and more diversified cargo," said Al Bastaki.

"The significance of the B747's addition is that it will boost MIDEX's cargo capacity by up to 50 percent - up from 200 to over 300 tons per day," added Al Bastaki.

Initially, the B747 will be employed on the daily Al Ain-Orly (near Paris) route, tasked with carrying cargo brought into MIDEX's home-base at Al Ain International Airport by its existing fleet of six Airbus A300B4's.

From France, the cargo will be sent to various destinations in Europe, and North America.

"Abu Dhabi Airports Company is delighted to host the UAE's first privately-owned cargo airline and the latest arrival to MIDEX's fleet will further enhance Al Ain International Airport's credentials as a key international cargo hub as well as its strategic positioning for serving both Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates," said Faris Al Mazrouei, Al Ain Airport General Manager.

Initially purchased late last year from Martinair, the massive nose-loading freighter is immediately available for commercial operations.

From its hub airport of Al Ain, MIDEX offers cargo services to seven major destinations that include Orly (France), Mumbai and Madras, Dhaka, Istanbul, Colombo and Beirut, with more destinations planned in the near future.