In the next installment of our senior executive interview series, Maksym Sanotskyi, Deputy General Director for Air Transportation and Flight Testing at Antonov Airlines, provides insights into the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on the cargo airline’s operations, the company’s strategic responses to customer demand and how it plans to leverage its strengths to remain competitive.
How are global economic conditions affecting the air cargo industry and what are the implications for Antonov Airlines?
The global economy is constantly affected by various factors, and the ongoing war in Ukraine is one of the most significant. The conflict, including the occupation of Hostomel airfield by Russian forces – which resulted in the destruction of the airport’s infrastructure and several Antonov Airlines aircraft – has significantly impacted our business operations.
At the beginning of 2022, we had to evacuate part of our staff abroad and temporarily relocate our AN-124-100 fleet to a new location where maintenance work could be carried out. We are deeply grateful to the management of Leipzig/Halle Airport for their support and for allowing us to use their infrastructure during this difficult time. Although it took some time to adapt our operations to these new circumstances, Antonov Airlines is now operating smoothly and providing uninterrupted service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our flight schedule is very demanding and reflects the niche we serve – the transportation of oversized and extremely heavy cargo. The increased demand for our services is also due to the sanctions imposed by the international community against the aggressor state. As a result of these measures, Antonov Airlines currently has little competition.
What sets Antonov Airlines apart from other major players in the industry in a highly competitive market?
What sets us apart is our fleet of unique AN-124-100 “Ruslan” aircraft, which can carry cargo up to 150 tons – something that no other aircraft can do. In fact, some companies design their products taking into account the Ruslan’s cargo compartment dimensions. For example, certain satellite containers are made specifically for our aircraft, with the intention of using them for their projects.
Another important aspect of our activity is the continuous cooperation with the experts of the Antonov Company, the developer of the aircraft. The transport missions we perform are often unique and require a tailor-made approach. This may include the development of customized equipment for transportation, the selection of optimal temperature conditions and the development of the most efficient flight routes. In addition, our specialists are continuously working on improving and modernizing the Ruslan, ensuring that it complies with all international standards and regulations.
What major trends do you think will impact the air cargo industry over the next five to ten years?
First of all, it is important to highlight the rapid growth of the global aerospace industry. As international cooperation increases, so does the demand for the transportation of components for the space sector and the delivery of satellites to launch sites.
In addition, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions typically have a strong demand for cargo transportation. Unfortunately, conflicts also lead to certain trends. The escalation of military conflicts in different regions forces other nations to strengthen their defense capabilities, which includes the development, purchase, repair and transportation of military equipment.
How is Antonov Airlines leveraging advances in digitalization to optimize operations and increase efficiency?
First and foremost, we focus on improving and optimizing our customer service and the technical capabilities of our air transport. For example, we are developing a cargo monitoring system for use during the flight. This is especially important when transporting cargo that is sensitive to temperature and air pressure. By controlling the conditions in the cabin, cargo owners can monitor any changes and make timely adjustments during the transport process. We have already successfully implemented some of these features and continue to test and integrate new ones into our operations.
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What are the main investment areas for Antonov Airlines in the coming years?
An important future priority that requires significant investments is the reconstruction of our base airport “Kyiv-Antonov-2” in Hostomel. We have already developed a concept to expand the functionality of the airport and support test flights, cargo transportation and passenger services.
While we are currently temporarily based at Leipzig/Halle Airport, we are focusing on the development of a hangar complex that will enable all types of maintenance and modernization work for the Antonov Airlines fleet.
How are your customers’ expectations changing and what steps is Antonov Airlines taking to meet and exceed those expectations?
Cargo safety during loading, unloading and transportation is a top priority for our customers. Completing each mission on time is equally important, as production schedules, contracts and sometimes even the lives or well-being of entire regions depend on the cargo we transport. Antonov Airlines strives to fulfill our obligations fully, safely and on time, and our flight safety system is continuously being improved.
Another important aspect of our service is our strong customer focus. Most of our customers come to us with unique cargo requirements and we work closely with them to understand every detail of their needs. We not only provide transportation, but also consultancy and work to develop custom frames and fasteners for the cargo when needed. We share the same commitment to mission success as our customers and always do our best to ensure this.
Can you explain Antonov Airlines’ sustainability efforts and how you address environmental issues within the industry?
The Antonov Company, to which our airline belongs, is the developer of the AN-124-100, the cornerstone of our fleet. The company is constantly striving to improve and modernize this aircraft to meet international standards of airworthiness and environmental performance. An important area of these efforts is our cooperation with the developers of the D-18T engines, with the aim of modernizing them to reduce pollutant emissions and noise levels.
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What are the main regulatory challenges facing the air cargo industry today and how is Antonov Airlines managing these complexities?
As we operate in the international market, we continuously monitor and research new aircraft standards and requirements and make the necessary improvements to stay at the forefront. This proactive approach allows us to maintain productive operations and consistently meet our commitments.
What are the biggest challenges Antonov Airlines faces as a leader in the air cargo industry and how do you deal with them?
The biggest challenges for us came from the need to realign our operations due to the military aggression of the Russian Federation, which necessitated our move to Leipzig. While we can now perform aircraft maintenance at our new location at Leipzig/Halle Airport, our production facilities and headquarters remain in Ukraine. Therefore, the timely transport of all necessary components is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of our aircraft. Over the last two years, we have successfully established and stabilized our logistics to meet this challenge. The most important lesson we have learned is the importance of always having multiple contingency plans ready.
Where do you see the greatest growth opportunities in the air cargo sector and how is Antonov Airlines positioned to take advantage of these opportunities?
Currently, we are using every opportunity that the market offers, including the transportation of satellites that no other aircraft can handle, as well as handling complex project cargo. With the introduction of the unique AN-124-100 aircraft, Antonov Airlines has created a niche in the air transportation of super-heavy and oversized cargo, where this aircraft remains unrivaled. We are continuously improving our technical capabilities to meet market demand and are actively working to expand our fleet.
What are Antonov Airlines’ main goals for the rest of 2024?
Our main goals for the end of the year are to fully fulfill our obligations to our customers. This includes ensuring timely aircraft maintenance, training our crews and participating in the development of special equipment for cargo transportation. We intend to maintain our position as the operator of the world’s largest cargo aircraft and continue our role in the market. We are also actively participating in the global initiative to replace Russian components with Western alternatives and are making significant progress in this area.
Given the ongoing conflict in our country, we are determined to do everything possible to support Ukraine’s victory over the Russian invader. This remains the main goal of all Ukrainians.
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