Originally Posted by Kalium Chloride
Don't have it here to paste, but I've seen an article in Air Transport Intelligence (this week?) which confirms the VDA/ADB joint venture and, if I recall, the end of the AFHL deal.
Here you go!!
Air Cargo News 12May06
Air Foyle Heavylifts future in the balance as Antonov take control.
Antonov Airlines could be set to end the partnership with UK-based Air Foyle Heavylift, leaving the company with no major client and its future in grave doubt, writes Stan Elston.
Letters have been sent out by Antonov Airlines to suppliers and agents to the effect that as of 1 June this year, all invoices relating to the company’s aircraft must be sent to the Kiev headquarters for settlement and not to the British management company Air Foyle Heavylift.
Graham Pierce, commercial director for Air Foyle Heavylift, told Air Cargo News: “We are still having ongoing discussions with Antonov as to the future going forward.”
Several suppliers have confirmed that they have received notification of the new arrangement by letter.
Quite how Antonov Airlines is to conduct its future sales as and marketing business is unclear as its internal sales force is at present small.
Industry sources have stated that they believe Antonov Airlines and Volga-Dnepr could be formulating plans for closer cooperation on the marketing side – as Volga Dnepr has its own marketing division. A source also states that this could possibly eventually lead to operations as a single entity.
Currently both airlines fleets are involved as a partnership in providing military airlift for NATO having signed the lucrative SALIS contract.
Tony Buckingham, managing director of Volga-Dnepr, denied any suggestion that the two airlines were in discussion regarding a merger. “ For a start US anti-trust laws would make such a proposal unfeasible,” he said.
All three major An-124 operators, Volga-Dnepr, Polet and Antonov Airlines, have stated the need to restart An-124 production to meet future demand in the outsize cargo market.