Ukraine’s Meridian to acquire B737, B767 freighters

Meridian is planning to acquire B737 and B767 freighters between 2022-2023 according to a United States Department of Transportation (DOT) filing lodged this month.

The Ukrainian cargo specialist has requested a Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) and exemption authority to commence charter flights to the United States, beyond and to third countries. It intends to start service during the first quarter of 2022 upon the granting of its exemption.

Currently, Meridian operates three An-12s (one BP/two BKs) with plans to add a fourth aircraft before the end of the year. All are leased from DS Air Cyprus, according to Ukrainian civil aviation authority records. Founded in 2003, the carrier is wholly owned by Oleksandr Bogdanovych. It specialises in humanitarian operations for the United Nations (UN), NATO, the Red Cross, and oil and gas clients. Its deliveries have included military and dual-cargo shipments.

During 2020, it reported a net profit of over USD2 million while in the first six months of 2021 it reported a net loss of USD607,000.

Meridian had not responded to a ch-aviation request for comment by the time of going to press.