Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) achieved a key milestone for cargo operations when the massive 'Antonov 124-100' aircraft of UAE-based Maximus Air Cargo touched the tarmac with a 120 tonnes payload.

Maximus Air Cargo, the UAE’s largest all air cargo operator, is part of Abu Dhabi Aviation Group and is also the SCATA Cargo Operator of the year.
 
It was significant that UAE-grown Maximus Air Cargo, part of Abu Dhabi Aviation Group and SCATA Cargo Operator of the year, made a fittingly heavyweight debut to phase one’s cargo operations, said a top official.

Antonov 124-100 became the largest civilian aircraft to touch the tarmac at the newly-opened DWC.

Commenting on the launch, Andrew Walsh, VP Cargo and Logistics Dubai Airports said, 'We welcome Maximus Air Cargo to the growing stable of airlines at DWC. Cargo operations are growing fast as the airport offers attractive commercial opportunities and is already on course to become a global cargo hub. We look forward to working with Maximus in the future.'

Fathi H. Buhazza, president and CEO of Maximus Air Cargo and founder of Care by Air said this was a symbolic occasion.

'As the UAE’s largest all air cargo operator we are delighted that our Antonov 124 has landed at the airport for the first time. This is the start of a long relationship and we are proud of the great vision of the UAE in developing a global, commercial, trade and logistics hub that will facilitate the region’s growth. We wholeheartedly support this vision,” he added.

The first phase of the DWC airport has a capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and five million passengers per annum.

Once completed, it will be the world’s largest passenger and cargo hub with a capacity of over 12 million tones of cargo a year and in excess of 160 million passengers.-TradeArabia News Service