KYIV. Nov 21 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, a leading operator of An-124-100 transport aircraft, is opening a new representative office in the United Kingdom from January 1, 2017, Dreamlifts Ltd.
The new company will represent the Ukrainian airlines’ interests instead of Ruslan International (RI), which was formed in 2006 together with Russia’s Volga−Dnepr Airlines and which will cease operations on December 31, 2016, the press service of Antonov Airlines said.
Antonov Airlines is to introduce its team in the UK which will take the lead in the global sales and operations of this unique cargo aircraft. Dreamlifts Ltd (trading as Antonov Airlines) is managed by an international group of well-known experts from the outsize and heavyweight cargo industry, the press service said.
“With decades of experience between them, Antonov Company expects a seamless transition for its customers in the global supply chain and a continuation of its flexible and highly personal service,” the company said in an official statement.
“Antonov Airlines’ activities are supported by Antonov Company’s in-house design and development capabilities providing unrivalled expertise for the most challenging logistic projects. As the maintenance authority and life extension authority, we will continue to offer these proven and reliable airframes to the market for many years to come. We look forward to working with the experienced and exciting team in the UK, and can see a bright future going forward with our customers,” the press service quotes President of Antonov Company Oleksandr Kotsiuba as saying.
Antonov currently operates a fleet of seven An−124s including the AN−124−100M−150 with a payload of up to 150 tonnes. It also operates the unique capability An−225 Mriya with a 250 tonne payload and the world’s largest turboprop, the An−22 Antei.
Since 2006, Antonov Airlines jointly with Volga−Dnepr have implemented a contract under NATO’s Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) program in the interests of the Alliance and the European Union. In December 2014, the contract was extended until the end of 2016.
Antonov Airlines hopes to continue cooperation under SALIS after it ceases cooperation with the Russian airlines.
As part of the new format of partnership with NATO, the Ukrainian company does not rule out that Leipzig will remain the base for the Ukrainian Ruslan planes.
As was reported, Ukraine in 2014 stopped shipments of military and dual-use commodities to Russia in connection with the annexation of Crimea and occupation of Donbas.
Ukraine’s government in May 2015 undid an intergovernmental agreement on military and technical cooperation with Russia, which had been in effect since 1993.
