(as published in Consignments Nov 2014)
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| Pic: maximus.aero |
Maximus Air is one of the largest all-cargo operators in the Middle East,
offering a full and comprehensive complement of air cargo charters to
destinations around the globe. Based in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, the carrier’s
new CEO Mohamed
Ebrahim Al Qassimi says the carrier is looking into exciting opportunities in
catering, VIP air cargo, and freight forwarding sectors as it looks to expand its
business opportunities. In a Q&A with consignments Mr Qassimi shares how
Maximus is trying to increase the value of its input from every aspect of its
operations.
Mr
Qassimi says, “As you know Maximus Air was established in 2005 and is the
biggest cargo charter operator in the region. Though we have a small number of
aircraft, we offer sub chartering and leasing services that give us an expanded
reach across the globe. As of now we are trying to integrate services such as VIP
Cargo that revolve around government and private charters; we are also focusing
highly on private sector services where we have achieved 20 per cent growth. As this growth continues the
need for more aircrafts to serve the sector will increase. Also Maximus continues
to specialise in carrying over sized cargo that cannot be carried by normal
freighter aircrafts in the market.”
Maximus
is trying to capture the business opportunities in the private charter as well
as growing its existing specialisation in oversized cargo transportation. Specialised cargo includes anything from
military tanks and trucks to equipment used by the region’s booming petrochemical
industry.
According to Mr Qassimi the carrier operates a fleet that includes the
Antonov 124 and Ilyushin 76aircraft that are capable of carrying a diverse
range of cargo to both established major airports and remote landing strips.
“Antonov 124 can lift above 120 tonnes and that’s where we specialize in this
part of the world; we are experts in carrying oversized
cargo and we want to strengthen our business in this sector,” Mr. Qassismi
said.
Mr.
Qassimi also said that the company flies two Ilyushin 76 that have a
capacity of 40 tonnes.
He also points out that Maximus is the only logistics company in Middle East with
an Antonov 124 fleet, and that the company leases and sub charters hundreds of
flights on a regular basis from major airlines like Emirates and Etihad.
Speaking
about the key markets Maximus focuses; he said that with the growth of Dubai,
Abu Dhabi and the rest of Gulf as a logistics corridor for the world, Maximus
is committed to providing services to the regional market. “As we are a cargo
operator we fly all over the world from Europe, Brazil, Russia, Mexico to Africa
and Asia. But our market concentration is currently in the Indian Subcontinent,
Middle East, and Africa,” Mr. Qassimi said.
Maximus
Air has served Chinese and far eastern markets; however according to Mr.
Qassimi markets like the Far East are not easy to penetrate. Moreover the
market is well known for supplying handy goods and electronics which can be
loaded to any normal aircraft. However, he reiterated that if there was a demand
for oversized cargo to transport goods to the region, Maximus is well equipped
to serve the market.
Speaking
about the ‘Care by Air’ initiative coined by Fathi Hilal Buhazza, the former
CEO of Maximus Air, Mr Qassimi said that the carrier still serves humanitarian
organisations like UN and Red Crescent, but not under the ‘Care by Air’ brand
naming. “The cause remains and we still carry humanitarian aid just the way it
was when we flew eight aircrafts of vaccinations to Nepal. We have linked our
services to the UN, not officially but in a way that we are agent in
humanitarian aid,” he says.
In
conclusion Mr Qassimi shares his future vision for the carrier and said that Maximus
plans to increase its fleet. “We have unique aircraft that serve the cargo
industry and our future investment is to procure equipment to handle oversized cargo
on the tarmac. In terms of growth in revenue, we are targeting at least 15 to
20 per cent year on year growth by next year.”
