Brand new UAE airline takes off

A brand new UAE-based airline will take to the skies by the end of the year, flying to six international destinations from its Al Ain hub and boasting the largest private cargo operation in the Middle East, the company's president announced at the Dubai Air Show today.

The Middle East's newest airline, MIDEX, will commence operations within the next two months flying to Orly in France, Mumbai and Kochin in India, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Istanbul in Turkey and Beirut in Lebanon.

"We will operate scheduled flights daily to all six destinations with cargo initially," said the President of MIDEX Airlines, Dr. Issam Khairallah, pointing out that the newest fleet to take off in the region has reserved its option to start passenger operations at a later date.

"We will be United Arab Emirate's first dedicated cargo airline and the largest cargo operator in the Middle East with a privately owned fleet," said Dr. Khairallah.

The airline, which has been busy buying up aircraft and acquiring 54 pilots, will anchor operations at its Al Ain hub and will be capable of transporting 45 tonnes per plane.

"For our network stretching from Al Ain either side to Orly and Dhaka, we will carry 200 tonnes a day which is a very good volume. We can also carry fresh produce daily as all our planes are refrigerated," Dr. Khairallah said.

Mr. Jassim Al Bastaki, MIDEX Director General, was also on hand at the 10^th biennial Dubai Air Show and expressed confidence in the choice of Al Ain as the carrier's hub.

"The facilities at Al Ain Airport are among the best in the world," said Al Bastaki. "Al Ain is close to Oman and linked to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai by a four-lane highway."

The Dubai Air Show, the third largest aviation exhibition in the world, runs from November 11 through November 15.