Air cargo charter services provider, the Asia Cargo Network (ACN) group, and Bahrain’s MENA Aerospace, announced the signing of a partnership and alliance between the two companies, extending ACN’s reach into the Middle East, South Asia and Africa as part of its international expansion plans.
The agreement was signed at the Bahrain International Airshow, by ACN Group CEO, Marco Isaak and Founder and Managing Director of MENA Aerospace, Dr Mohammed Juman. Under the agreement, ACN plans to base six of its cargo planes in Bahrain and the GCC where it will serve the market in the MENA region as well as cargo routes into and from it.
ACN will be a shareholder with a 49 percent stake in MAE Aircraft Management with this significant FDI investment into Bahrain. The investment consists of capital, asset deployment, management services and expertise. The partnership facilitates expansion and growing global reach of cargo services beyond Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
ACN’s Isaak said, “We’re incredibly proud of this historic milestone for Asia Cargo Network as we expand our operations into the MENA region. Our partnership with MAE is a testament to our commitment to excellence, and we look forward to cementing our reputation as a strong global player in the industry.”
The deployment shall be over the next 18 months with the first of its six aircraft to include a B737-800F and B767-300F due to arrive within the next two months, and to begin operations immediately. ACN’s aircrafts and MEA’s existing Boeing 737-300 converted freighter expand the operational fleet within the region.
The partnership operations will be under the MENA Cargo brand, the freight cargo subsidiary of MAE. The operations will be fully managed by ACN moving forward as it holds an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) in Bahrain which allows for the expansion of routes to the MENA region. ACN shall provide all the necessary support for the operational and strategic growth of the airline in line with its SEA plans.