ECS Group, with headquarters in Paris, has signed an agreement with the Beirut-based Lebanese air carrier Middle East Airlines to provide sales and operations services at MEA’s European hub, Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the national air carrier of Lebanon and has been established in 1945. From its hub at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), MEA operates flights to international destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Paris Charles de Gaulle serves as MEA’s European base to provide cargo business from France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Belgium and USA to stations such as Beirut (BEY), Abidjan (ABJ), Doha (DOH), Dubai (DXB), Jeddah (JED), Larnaca (LCA), and Riad (RUH) with Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft offering a total monthly cargo capacity of 1200 tons, plus narrow body capacity out of Italy and Belgium (A320) on daily basis.

ECS Group convinced MEA with the offer to support the air carrier’s cargo services with the tight network of its strong organisation in Europe. Subsequently, ECS representatives collaborated with MEA’s cargo management to work out a comprehensive and ambitious business plan.

ECS Group is now supporting MEA with sales and operative services. European markets offer big volumes of diverse commodities to be shipped to BEY, such as perishables, flowers, cosmetics, and fashion as well as general cargo. In order to optimize MEA’s full capacity and increase its market share, ECS will closely cooperate with the MEA cargo management to draw up tailored offers for each market.

Jean Ceccaldi, Managing Director Aero Cargo France, is looking forward to a fruitful partnership with the Lebanese air carrier: “The collaboration between MEA and our Group is a fantastic opportunity. With our experience, expansive network and expertise as one of the world’s leading GSSAs, we will be able to significantly strengthen MEA’s position on the markets covered by our new partnership. We are proud that Middle East Airlines have chosen us as their General Sales & Service Agent at their main hub in Europe.”