In a
significant development for the air cargo industry, Ras Al Khaimah
International Airport Company welcomed the inaugural flight of Fly vaayu from
China on October 7, 2024. The aircraft was an Airbus A320 model, registered in
the United Arab Emirates under the registration number A6-RMA. Fly vaayu is set
to establish its operational hub at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, which
serves as a vital link connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. This initiative
underscores Fly vaayu's dedication to pioneering innovative solutions within
the aviation sector. Notably, this aircraft is the third Airbus A320 globally
to be converted into a freighter (A320P2F), and it was honored with a water
salute upon its arrival at the airport.
The
aircraft was welcomed by H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, Chairman
of the Department of Civil Aviation and Ras Al-Khaimah International Airport
& board member of General Civil Aviation Authority, H.E. Syed Muhammed
Raziff Aljunied, Consul General of Singapore, Mr. Boon Keng Tan, ST
Engineering, Singapore and Vijay Arumbakkam of the Vaayu Group among others who
joined His Excellency at the welcome ceremony.
This cargo
carrier, converted by EFW, a joint venture of ST Engineering, Singapore and
Airbus, is a game changer since it can carry a larger payload cost efficiently.
Fly Vaayu
offers bespoke solutions to local industries and to freight forwarders,
importers, exporters, transhippers, e-commerce specialists, last mile delivery
providers and any air cargo charterers including regional passenger airlines
who like to take advantage of adding cargo revenue to their top line. It offers
multiple solutions for loads carried including overall operating cost
efficiencies for each segment served.
Fly
Vaayu’s fleet will eventually support the rapidly growing air freight market.
It will use Ras Al-Khaimah International Airport (RKT), UAE as its hub and will
connect Asia, Africa, and Europe to the GCC/UAE. Ras Al-Khaimah International
Airport (RKT) is strategically located between the Indian and African
continents, with opportunities to reach Europe, Africa and Asia.
Fly Vaayu,
part of the RAK-based Vaayu Group, has operations across the globe. Vaayu
always aims to rethink solutions for challenges within the aviation industry
with a sharp eye on the future. Vaayu plans to make Ras Al-Khaimah one of
Middle East’s prominent aviation hubs.
H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al-Qasimi,
Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation and Ras Al-Khaimah International
Airport & board member of General Civil Aviation Authority expressed his
delight as Fly Vaayu has just become UAE’s only dedicated freighter airline,
with their global operations to begin from its home base Ras Al-Khaimah
International Airport. H.E also took this opportunity to appreciate H.E. Syed
Muhammed Raziff Aljunied, Consul General of Singapore, Mr. Boon Keng Tan, ST
Engineering, Singapore and Vijay Arumbakkam of the Vaayu Group for gracing the
occasion.
“This is indeed a momentous occasion as well as a
milestone for us, as we welcome Fly Vaayu to their new home. Our partnership
with Fly Vaayu emphasizes our dedication to broadening air freight across the
world through Ras Al-Khaimah. This landmark reflects our commitment to excellence,
defining a new chapter in the aviation legacy of our vibrant emirate. Once
again, it is my pleasure to welcome Fly Vaayu to
Ras Al-Khaimah International Airport and to be able to acknowledge demand for a
booming air freight and cargo market from across the globe. One of the driving
forces behind Ras Al-Khaimah’s economy lies in its thriving manufacturing and business
investments, which clearly indicates that Fly Vaayu is well aligned with the
airport’s strategy. We eagerly anticipate a future of promising opportunities
ahead,” he stated.