AN-124

Antonov Airlines flying some An-124s, other freighters trapped in Ukraine

A massive freighter with a big rear and front door open, view from rear.

Ukraine is home to several all-cargo airlines that operate unique Soviet-era freighters. 

Antonov Airlines, the largest and most internationally known of the carriers, is still operating some of its super-jumbo An-124 cargo jets, but others in the fleet remain stranded at the Hostomel Airport near Kyiv, according to aircraft tracking site Flightradar24.com. Constanta Airlines, another cargo airline, is partially functioning with aircraft it has outside of Ukraine.

The inability of any Ukrainian...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/antonov-airlines-flying-some-an-124-freighters-others-trapped-in-ukraine

Airbus launches cargo airline with whale-shaped super transporter

Funky Airbus Beluga cargo jet soars into the air, view from below

Airbus said Tuesday it is commercializing its in-house fleet of Beluga supersize jets used to transport large aircraft components between manufacturing sites to offer logistics companies and other organizations airlift for outsized shipments.

The iconic planes are designed in the image of the beluga whale, which has a distinctive bulbous forehead.

The new service — Airbus Beluga Transport — will serve commercial customers with large cargo transport needs in a variety of sectors, including space,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/airbus-launches-cargo-airline-with-whale-shaped-super-transporter

Lithium battery maker airlifts assembly line to leapfrog port congestion

Large crates covered with blue tarps lined up in front of a nose-loading air cargo jet on a clear blue day.

In early August, Enovix Corp. completed the installation of specialized equipment for a sophisticated production line in Fremont, California, and is gearing up to begin commercial production of batteries for mobile electronic devices in early 2022.

The ocean congestion griping U.S West Coast ports this year could have derailed those efforts.

For a manufacturer of advanced lithium ion batteries building its first factory on a tight schedule, the prospect of waiting weeks for an automated assembly...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lithium-battery-maker-airlifts-assembly-line-to-leapfrog-port-congestion

GSCW chat recap: Vekshin on AN-124 engine updates, unprecedented volume demands

This fireside chat recap is from Day 1 of Freightwaves’s Global Supply Chain Week. Day 1 focuses on military, aerospace and manufacturing.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: From Russia, With Cargo

DETAILS: Volga-Dnepr is one of the most unusual specialist, all-cargo airlines in the world.  It has a large fleet of Boeing 747s but also some Russian-made aircraft that can handle out-of-gauge cargo or land on smaller airfields under challenging runway conditions. Find out about the company’s role in airlift...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gscw-chat-recap:-vekshin-on-an-124-engine-updates-unprecedented-volume-demands

Volga-Dnepr returns first An-124 from safety suspension

A large, white super freighter on the ground, with camera view from above.

Outsized air cargo specialist Volga-Dnepr Airlines said Tuesday it has restarted commercial flights with one of its An-124 heavy loaders one month after grounding the fleet as a safety precaution in response to an accident.

The Moscow-based carrier pulled its eight An-124-100s from service following an engine failure that forced one aircraft to make an emergency landing in Russia. The suspension put a big dent in the supply of ultra-large aircraft for project cargo, such as wind tower...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/volga-dnepr-returns-first-an-124-from-safety-suspension

Dry ice: The Russian An-124 freighter’s COVID vaccine advantage

Huge cargo plane with its nose cone lifted so cargo dollies can be wheeled in.

Most aviation professionals don’t envision the Russian-built An-124 super-freighter playing a role in COVID-19 vaccine distribution because it’s an older, drafty plane often used to haul extra-heavy, oversize cargoes. Think helicopters, turbines and trucks. But the An-124 has a unique advantage that could make it useful: no limit on dry ice.

That could be a critical factor when trying to quickly get large amounts of temperature-sensitive vaccine to people around the world, especially in less...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/dry-ice-the-russian-an-124-freighters-covid-vaccine-advantage

Volga-Dnepr grounds An-124 super-freighter fleet after accident

A massive white cargo jet inches from touching down on runway.

Russian all-cargo carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines said Friday it has temporarily suspended all commercial flights with ultra-large Antonov-124-100 freighters until the investigation into the cause of an accident two weeks ago is complete.

One of the company’s An-124 cargo aircraft experienced engine failure and loss of control after taking off from Tolmachevo airport in Novosibirsk on Nov. 13. The crew managed to turn back and make an emergency landing, which damaged the aircraft when it skidded...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/volga-dnepr-grounds-an-124-super-freighter-fleet-after-accident

An-124 mega freighter overshoots runway in emergency landing

A big white freighter aircraft lies in snow at end of runway with damaged engine after emergency landing.

Russian all-cargo airline Volga-Dnepr Group confirmed Friday that a massive An-124-100 freighter made an emergency landing and rolled off the runway after experiencing technical issues on takeoff and returning to the airport in Novosibirsk, Russia. None of the 14 crew members were injured.

The plane was operating under a charter from Seoul, South Korea, to Vienna, with 84 tons of automotive spare parts and made a technical stop in Novosibirsk.

Russian news sites and aviation safety bloggers said...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/an-124-mega-freighter-overshoots-runway-in-emergency-landing

Russian airline completes massive airlift of medical supplies for France

The French government has ended a massive airlift of medical supplies from China to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus after stockpiles were deemed sufficient.

Over the past three months, Russian carrier Volga-Dnepr operated 48 Antonov-124 freighter flights to deliver 3,000 tons of medical supplies. French logistics firm Geodis coordinated the operation.

The Cold War-era AN-124s, which were built in Ukraine, are the largest commercial cargo aircraft in use and are normally associated...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/russian-airline-completes-massive-airlift-of-medical-supplies-for-france

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