MAXIMUS LEADS WITH AID TO MYANMAR

 Abu Dhabi, 26 May 2008 - Abu Dhabi-based Maximus Air Cargo is at Abu Dhabi-based Maximus Air Cargo is at

 

the forefront of delivering relief supplies to cyclone-ravaged

Myanmar.

The carrier is the second to be granted landing rights by the Myanmar

government and has so far delivered more than 90 tons in two flights on behalf of

the UAE Red Crescent Association, arriving within three days of the disaster

being declared following Nargis.

“Traffic rights were difficult to obtain for these flights at the last minute, but

Maximus's professional team of operations experts used their contacts to ensure

that the flights operated without delay,” says the company’s president and CEO,

Fathi Hilal Buhazza.

Maximus has also delivered relief supplies to Sichuan province in China which

has been devastated by an earthquake. Two more flights for the UAE Red

Crescent from Abu Dhabi to Chengu are leaving this week, airlifting more than 70

tons of blankets and tents.

Four flights on behalf of the UN World Food Program, Medecins du Monde, and

the UK Department for International Development carried more than 180 tons of

medicine, food, tents, shelters, plastic sheeting, and tarpaulins to Yangon on

board Ilyushin 76 and Airbus A300 cargo planes.

These flights to Yangon, Myanmar were dispatched from Brindisi in Italy,

Bordeaux in France, and from Maximus's base in Abu Dhabi after the carrier

activated its disaster relief plan.

“Our rapid response was gratefully received by all the aid agencies involved,”

says Buhazza.

Maximus is the exclusive partner for the UAE Red Crescent in providing

all relief air transport services requirements, both regionally and internationally.

The cooperation ensures efficient, cost effective and high impact air

transportation relief, thus improving the welfare services provided to people in

need across the world.

“We are committed to provide the UAE’s Red Crescent with the most efficient

service by using our strong expertise in the industry,” said Buhazza.

“With the consensus of not earning any profit, we guarantee that the Red

Crescent will benefit from the most cost-effective air transportation available in

the market.

“As a business, we are proud to offer our unprecedented support to such a

reputable and dedicated organisation and we will continue to contribute our

services for such causes.”

The UAE Red Crescent selected Maximus Air Cargo as its official partner

because of the capabilities of the carrier’s fleet which includes two speciallyupgraded

Lockheed Hercules L382Gs. These aircraft are currently operating

relief supply flights for the UAE Red Crescent from Abu Dhabi to Juba in Sudan.

With more than 2,000km normal range with full payload, the Hercules is

renowned for its ability to carry up to twenty tons of humanitarian cargo such as

food, water, and medical supplies to and from short runways, even without

minimal ground support equipment. The L382G’s capability of aerial dropping

dramatically shortens the lead-time needed for the deployment of relief goods,

therefore contributing to saving lives more effectively.

Maximus is the largest freighter-only air operator in the Middle East, with a staff

of more than 130 and a fleet of eight all-cargo Antonov AN-124-100, Airbus

A300-600RF, Ilyushin IL-76TD, and Lockheed Hercules L382G aircraft.