An Antonov 124-100 freighter with a payload of up to 120 tonnes belonging to Maximus Air Cargo, the UAE’s largest all air cargo operator, became the largest civilian aircraft to touch the tarmac at the recently launched Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International Airport recently. This was another significant milestone for cargo operations at Dubai’s new airport, which was launched by Dubai Airports on 27 June. The first phase of the airport has a capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and five million passengers per annum.

“This is a symbolic occasion,” said Fathi H. Buhazza, president and CEO of Maximus Air Cargo. “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.”