Astral Aviation, a Kenyan-based Cargo airline, has linked up with Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) Cargo Centre to create a hub and increase its presence in the Middle East Cargo market.
“We are truly honoured to have this deal with Sharjah Airport, which will become Astral’s Middle Eastern Hub and its third global hub after Nairobi and Liege, Belgium,” Sanjeev S, Gadhia CEO of Astral Aviation.
Astral Aviation scheduled cargo flights
Astral will provide scheduled cargo flights for perishables from East Africa to SHJ and the United Arab Emirates in this partnership.
On the return leg, while carrying goods from China and the UAE, Astral Aviation shall transport cargo originating from SHJ and the UAE to its base in Nairobi for onward African destinations.
Sharjah is considered the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi, forming part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area.
The Emirate of Sharjah borders with Dubai to the South, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain to the north and Ras Al Khaimah to the East.
Sharjah Airport
Sharjah Airport has continued to attract new airlines and routes, making it a leading international hub for freight.
According to His Excellency Ali Salim Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Airport Authority, there are plans for the airport to use all its logistical capacities and working with Astral Aviation to ship COVID-19 Vaccines from China to the African Continent efficiently and smoothly.
Astral cargo fleet
Astral has a fleet made up of Boeing 747-400F, 767-200F on a five-year lease from Air Transport Service Group since October 2020, Boeing 727-200F, DC9-33F and Fokker F27. It is the only Africa carrier with a diverse fleet from 6-110 tonnes.
Within its intra-African network of some 50 destinations, Astral has scheduled and ad-hoc charter flights as well as value-added leases.
Sanjeev S, Gadhia is the owner of Astral Aviation- a dedicated all-cargo airline based in Nairobi with a fleet going to various destinations in Africa and Europe.
