Antonov Airlines will establish a presence in the USA and Hong Kong as part of its ongoing expansion plans.
The Ukrainian carrier has established a new office at London Stansted Airport and appointed general sales agents in Japan and Australia, and has plans for the USA having been granted rights to operate in the country more freely.
Antonov Company vice president, Oleg Orlov says: “We are excited to be growing our presence globally in some of the world’s most dynamic economies.”
“Ukraine has developed excellent links with the USA as a result of an Open Skies Agreement, that has granted Antonov freedom to operate to and from the USA without the need to obtain U.S. Department of Transport (DoT) statements of authorisation.”
Antonov is also working with Ukrainian and Western suppliers to modernise its fleet, working with a number of suppliers to upgrade its seven AN-124 and the AN-225 with its 250 tonne payload.
It has introduced Dunlop tyres to its fleet enabling the AN124-100M-150 to operate at their designed maximum payload of 150 tonnes, have a much improved lifespan, leading to lower tyre costs per landing.
Antonov is also working with US Honeywell for its avionics, Pratt & Whitney, Dowty Propellers, and Zodiac Aerospace in addition to other Western suppliers.
Antonov Airlines managing director, Graham Witton says: “Our AN-124s will be flying for the next quarter of a century and we are making sure they are at the cutting edge of aviation technology and design.”
He adds: “We are working with some of the most respected suppliers in the world for the modernisation of our fleet.”
