Maximus Air Cargo, the UAE’s largest dedicated all-cargo aircraft operator, reported that July 2011 saw a record operational month for the Airbus A300-600RF, operated under an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance & insurance) agreement by Etihad Crystal Cargo.

The aircraft, operated by the award-winning carrier since June 2009, reached an unprecedented level of 638 hours during July 2011. This represented a 14 per cent increase over other recent months, primarily due to the airline increasing its charter requirement and the aircraft flying to new destinations such as Vienna, Damascus, Baghdad and Khartoum.

Maximus Air Cargo president and CEO, Fathi Hilal Buhazza said this was the highest ever aircraft utilisation from Etihad in a single month and gave Maximus’ resourcing capabilities a stern test – which the company was more than up to.

“The 14 per cent over-utilisation of the aircraft is fantastic news for Etihad and confirms that the freight market is showing strong signs of recovery,” he said. “The ability of Etihad to cost-effectively and effortlessly meet the increased demand is testimony to the excellent working relationship we have together.

“Already the Middle East’s largest all-cargo operator, Maximus is also a pioneering ACMI leasing provider.

“In this instance we were able to call on our extensive crew and Air Operating Certificate, to ensure  Etihad  retained its high dispatch reliability, supported by a comprehensive maintenance and spare parts service, while at all times focusing on reducing operating costs so as to deliver to Etihad  operational  reliability and optimum profit margins.”  - TradeArabia News Service