The turnkey solutions provider of comprehensive airport and aviation services in Bahrain, MENA Aerospace Enterprises, is launching a new division – MENA Cargo.
The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications’ Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) department has officially awarded an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to MENA Cargo, which sits under the MAE Aircraft Management WLL branch of MENA Aerospace Enterprises WLL.
This means that MENA Cargo is now officially open for business, as its personnel, assets and systems have been approved to begin commercial operations.
MENA Cargo is the newest dedicated full-service cargo airline to enter the MENA region, and the third freighter operator in The Kingdom of Bahrain.
Although coronavirus pandemic shutdowns diminished many aviation companies, MENA Aerospace Enterprises’ Leadership made the decision to expand the Group’s services by establishing the new cargo airline in late 2020.
Overheads were kept lean during the startup phase, and the team still met training and compliance goals ahead of schedule.
Dr. Mohammed Juman, MENA Aerospace Enterprises founder and managing director, comments: “As a group we have been well-positioned to pivot our strategy in the face of many challenges, in order to take advantage of new opportunities.
“We have also been fortunate to attract top talent to shape and lead MENA Cargo; Brian Hogan and Peter Hewett are well-known in the cargo aviation world, and especially within the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.”
MENA Cargo is set to offer both scheduled operations and opportunities for ad hoc charters.
Initially, it will operate within the GCC and India, with plans to soon expand into North and Eastern Africa. Assets and operations are structured to offer maximum flexibility for adding international markets according to clients’ needs.
Air Cargo is a premium service. IATA data shows that airlines transport more than 35% of global trade by value, but less than 1% of trade by volume. WorldACD reports a 10% hike in the worldwide average USD rate in the five weeks ending September 19th.
Nevertheless, delivering cost savings to customers – by streamlining processes, using the latest technologies, and optimising the fleet and network – is a priority.
The operating cost within the logistics sector is 45% lower in Bahrain compared to neighbouring markets, according to the KPMG 2019 report ‘Cost of Doing Business in Logistics.’
Brian Hogan, accountable manager for MENA Cargo, states: “Our goal is to support the markets within the Middle East, as well as the evolving niche markets in the African region and beyond, by working together with local and global partners.
