Volga-Dnepr to open maintenance bases in Shannon and Sharjah

Published: 9/21/1999

Volga-Dnepr has announced the opening of two maintenance bases for Russian manufactured aircraft in Shannon, Ireland, and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company is also considering the possibility of setting up a similar base in Latin America. Given that its principal business is the movement of heavy cargoes, making relatively few flights within Russia. Volga-Dnepr has taken this unique approach for Russian carriers due to its need for fast efficient repairs outside of the country, which historically has been an expensive logistical exercise. The Director General of Volga-Dnepr, Alexey Isaikin, said that the two bases would provide maintenance not only for their own aircraft, but also for the extensive fleet of Russian and Ukrainian cargo aircraft flying internationally. Volga-Dnepr is certified to undertake maintenance on these types by the FSVT. In addition to offering maintenance, the bases will have technical emergency teams, on standby to tackle urgent problems. Volga-Dnepr, according to the company, has financed the creation of the bases from its own funds, but argues that given the leasing cost of $10,000 per hour of the An-124-100 Ruslan, the $1m investment at Shannon should receive a relatively quick payback given the reduction in aircraft downtime without the requirement to return to home base in Ulyanovsk.

Article ID: 888