An agreement was signed today by H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the operator of Al Ain International Airport, and Dr. Issam Khairallah, President of Midex Airlines. The airline, which received all required licenses for cargo and passenger operations last year, 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. Addressing a special ceremony at ADAC Head Office, H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei said:
'We are delighted that Midex Airlines has chosen Al Ain International Airport as their home base and main hub for their international cargo business. This operation will take advantage of Al Ain Airport's strategic location with easy road access to the entire UAE, international air and sea connections and our GCC neighbours.'
'The growing interest in Al Ain Airport reflects the airlines' recognition of the Airport's strategic location within the UAE and its quality services,' Al Mazrouei said. 'Our partnership with Midex is in line with our plans for developing Al Ain International Airport into a regional cargo hub,' he added. Dr. Khairallah said: Midex will operate scheduled flights daily to all six destinations with cargo initially, while passenger operations will be started at a later date. 'We will be the UAE first dedicated cargo airline and the largest cargo operator in the Middle East with a privately owned fleet,' he said. Midex fleet consists of six Airbus A300B4-203F and one Boeing B747-200F.
Midex Director General Jassim Al Bastaki said: 'Al Ain offers 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.' 'The facilities at Al Ain Airport are among the best in the region. Al Ain is close to Oman and linked to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai by four-lane, congestion-free highways. 'And for us, the crowning factor is that Al Ain is not as crowded as other UAE airports. We get a nice direct approach every time, saving on time and on fuel,' he pointed out. Each aircraft of Midex fleet is capable of carrying up to 45 tonnes of cargo. 'We are expecting to carry 200 tonnes a day. We can also carry fresh produce daily as all our planes are refrigerated,' he said. 'Midex will get the most efficient airport services and support to help them extend their network and excellent service to all parts of the world,' said Al Mazrouei.