Volga-Dnepr to build Leipzig humanitarian aid hub

Volga-Dnepr Airlines (VI, Ulyanovsk Vostochny) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the operator of Leipzig/Halle to set up a hum for emergency and humanitarian cargo operations at the German airport. “2020 has shown us that the industry needs to be better prepared to guarantee emergency response when and where it is needed. By setting up the humanitarian hub in Leipzig/Halle, we are focusing on enhancing the quality of services for the sector and expanding our capabilities. We are all well aware that humanitarian operations must not face delays. We aim to lead the sector with disruption-free cargo services to deliver essential commodities, medical supplies, sophisticated equipment, or pharmaceutical products,” Chief Operating Officer Tatiana Arslanova said. The Russian cargo specialist already has a base at Leipzig/Halle airport. Going forward, it plans to expand its operational capabilities to better cater to the specific needs of emergency freight transport. In turn, the airport will expand its warehousing facilities, including long-term storage, as well as ground handling and loading capabilities. Volga-Dnepr Airlines, a unit of Volga-Dnepr Group, specialises in Russian-made freighters with nine An-124-100s, one An-124-100M, and five Il-76TD-90VDs in service, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. Its sister carrier, AirBridgeCargo, operates four B747-400(ERF)s, thirteen B747-8(F)s, and one B777-200F. The group also owns a British subsidiary, CargoLogicAir, with two B747-400 freighters, a German narrowbody unit, CargoLogic Germany, with two B737-400(F)s and one B737-400(SF), and a Russian narrowbody specialist, Atran, with three B737-400(F)s and two B737-800(BCF)s.