An airline born as the freighter section of the Abu Dhabi Royal Flight has grown into a serious competitor in the specialized air cargo market. Maximus Air Cargo (Stand E700) now operates eight freighters and has hired European sales, marketing and load-planning expertise to help it compete for wet-lease and charter business worldwide.
The huge Antonov An-124 Ruslan freighter in the static park belongs to Maximus, and so does the L-382 Hercules alongside it. The company owns a second L-382, which is currently in Hong Kong on a filming contract. Maximus also operates three Ilyushin Il-76TDs, and therefore has a total of six ramp-loaded freighters that can easily haul wheeled, heavy or awkward loads. For more conventional, pallet-loaded air cargo, Maximus offers two Airbus A300-600RF freighters. They have already flown for a variety of carriers–Air France; Cygnus Air of Spain; Etihad; and Empost, the courier division of the Emirates Post Office.
