Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah-based cargo airline Fly Vaayu, part of the Vaayu Group, received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This was formally handed over by Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), to senior Fly Vaayu officials at a function held in RAK DCA today.
According to Emirates News Agency, this Air Operator Certificate is the first to be issued to an operator based out of Ras Al Khaimah and now allows Fly Vaayu to commence its commercial operations. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qassimi expressed his pride in the achievement, stating, ‘It’s a real honour for the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah to have a commercial air transport operator such as Fly Vaayu to be based in Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) and provide seamless cargo services to customers. It is our goal and performance indicator to support the economic development of Ras Al Khaimah through such strategic initiatives.’
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Vaayu plans to transform Ras Al Khaimah into a regional cargo hub by offering its capacity to forwarders, importers, exporters, transhippers, e-commerce players, last-mile providers, and charterers. It will operate on routes to Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Fly Vaayu recently took delivery of its first A320-200P2F, MSN 2288, on 7th October 2024, at RKT. This aircraft was received by Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qassimi after completing a record-breaking ferry flight from Guangzhou to RKT. Notably, it is the first A320 freighter registered in the Middle East and the first A320P2F conversion completed at the ST Aerospace (Guangzhou) Aviation Services facility.
