FlyVaayu,
the UAE’s first dedicated freight carrier based in Ras Al Khaimah, has opened
its AMO CAR 145 facility at Ras Al Khaimah Airport. The facility was formally
inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Engr. Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the
Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, in the presence of Mr. Manish
Seth, CEO of RAK Airport; Engr. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director General of
the RAK Transport Authority and Acting Director General of the Department of
Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah; Dr. Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Director General,
RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr.
Vijay Arumbakkam, CEO and Accountable Manager of FlyVaayu; Ms. Meena
Arumbakkam, Director of FlyVaayu; FlyVaayu employees; and other dignitaries.
H.H.
Sheikh Engr. Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman, Department of Civil
Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, expressed his pride in this milestone achievement,
stating, “This successful opening this AMO CAR 145 facility is a testament to
Ras Al Khaimah’s growing capability in the aviation Eco System to service the
maintenance requirements of both local and international operators from RAK
Airport. It reflects the strength of our infrastructure, the professionalism of
FlyVaayu, RAK DCA, RAK Airport and the Emirate’s commitment to supporting
operations that serve international markets with efficiency and care.”.
"RAK
Airport is poised for tremendous growth — in both passenger and cargo
operations," said Mr. Manish Seth, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al
Khaimah International Airport. "The successful opening of this CAR 145
facility will mean that all operators using RAK Airport will have access to
world class line maintenance facilities contributing significantly to efficient
and safe operations.”
“This
capability allows FlyVaayu to provide maintenance services to both its own
fleet and third-party operators, supporting increased airline activity, job
creation, technical expertise, and economic growth within Ras Al Khaimah”, said
Engr. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director General of
the RAK Transport Authority and Acting Director General of the Department of
Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah.
“This
gives us the confidence to undertake more MRO activities in RAK Airport and
truly develop a world class MRO ecosystem in Ras Al Khaimah,” said Vijay
Arumbakkam, CEO & Accountable Manager of FlyVaayu.
The
company is currently the only CAR-145 approved maintenance organization at the
airport authorized to perform scheduled maintenance checks up to 1,000 Flight
Hours (FH), 1,000 Flight Cycles (FC), or 6 months, whichever comes first.
As
part of its future expansion plans, FlyVaayu aims to establish additional
aviation maintenance facilities, including Wheels and Brakes, Battery, and NDT
workshops, as well as a full Airbus A320 Base Maintenance facility. These
developments will enhance local aviation capabilities, create employment
opportunities for UAE Nationals and aviation professionals, and further
position Ras Al Khaimah as a growing aviation maintenance hub in the region.
FlyVaayu operates a fleet of two A320P2Fs
(passenger-to-freighter conversions) using RAK Airport as its base.
FlyVaayu
has positioned Ras Al Khaimah as a regional cargo hub, offering capacity to
freight forwarders, importers, exporters, e-commerce players, charter
operators, and last-mile providers on routes to Asia, Africa, Europe, and the
Middle East.