Antonov Airlines, GSA Aircargonet found NATO charter JV

Ukraine-based Antonov Airlines and GSA Aircargonet have co-founded the joint venture Antonov-Logistic-Salis GmbH, Cargoforwarder Global reported. The JV will operate charter flights for certain EU states and NATO members using two An-124 aircraft provided by Antonov. Aircargonet will manage logistics and administrative matters for the JV, which is based at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) in Germany.

Antonov previously participated in the Ruslan Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) agreement with Russia-based Volga-Dnepr Group before the Group moved to end its operations under the agreement earlier this year. By year-end, Ruslan SALIS will close, and Antonov-Logistics-Sails will take over operation of flights beginning 1 January 2019.