Maximus Air Cargo (Maximus), the UAE's largest dedicated cargo aircraft operator, is considering a US$500 million purchase of two or three Boeing 747s to strengthen cargo operations and commence wet leasing planes to other carriers in the Middle East and Asia. "We are looking at 2012 for a 747 type aircraft," said chief executive Fathi Buhazza, according to the Abu Dhabi National. "t could be the 747-400; it could be 747-8, which is the new aircraft. We are in the planning stage, but by the end of the year Maximus will reveal long-term plans." It said the new B747-8 freighter costs between $180 million and $190 million compared to an estimated $35 million to $45 million for the older 747-400. The report said that so far aircraft leasing firm DAE Capital in Dubai is the only customer of the 747-8 in the Middle East, with orders for 15 of the freighters. It is expected to lease some of the aircraft to Emirates's SkyCargo division. Maximus is said to operate a fleet of eight aircraft, including Airbus A300-600s freighters, a Lockheed L383 Hercules, two Russian Antonov 124 and the Ilyushin 76. The company announced last month a significant expansion to its fleet. Three additional Airbus A300-600 regional freighters - each offering 48 tonnes of payload capacity - that purchased from Japan Airlines (JAL) on last month and representing a total investment of AED350 million - including conversion, will be introduced to the fleet in July, September and November this year. The introduction of these aircraft, which brings the total number of aircraft operated by the company to eleven are currently undergoing conversion from passenger to cargo configuration by EADS EWS (Dresden, Germany), a global centre of excellence for Airbus P2F conversions. Maximus Air Cargo President and CEO Fathi Hilal Buhazza said the acquisition will not only strengthen Maximus's regional leadership position in the air freight industry but also transform it into one of the biggest and most versatile operators of its kind. "The arrival of these aircraft, which were built in 2000 and 2002 and are the youngest ever to be converted from passenger planes to freighters, comes at an exciting time in the company's growth programme," he said. "They will provide strategic support for our ambitious expansion plans which strengthens our positioning as the Middle East's largest all cargo operator with opportunities to serve the Middle East North Africa (MENA), Asia and European regions."(maximus/mar)