Ukraine-based Antonov Airlines transported 80 tonnes of automotive parts from Indonesia and Vietnam to Ohio as vehicle manufacturing plants reopen across the US.
The Open Skies Agreement between Ukraine and the US meant Antonov Airlines was able to provide rapidly one of its seven AN-124-100 freighters.
The AN-124-100 picked up 40 tonnes of parts in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and a further 40 tonnes in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“We have seen an increase in demand for automotive cargo, and a double pick-up is not usual in the day-to-day operations of the AN-124-100,” said Iryna Kyianytsia, Commercial Executive at Antonov Airlines.
“There were additional challenges ensuring compliance with COVID-19 restrictions in different nations, but thanks to well-organised work and communication with The Flight Lab Aviation Consulting LLC, which chartered the flights, the cargo was safely and successfully transported in full and on time.”
It took four days to complete the route with technical stops required in Japan and Alaska to accommodate crew rests and aircraft refuelling before reaching Ohio.
Aircraft crew received rapid COVID-19 tests during each rest window prior to receiving clearance to travel to the next technical stop airport.
“These flights were not your run-of-the-mill charters,” said Adam Green, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at The Flight Lab Aviation Consulting.
“Due to the nature of the cargo and the double pick-up in two different countries, the planning had to be precise and executed perfectly.
“All the cargo was Just-In-Time, to support a large automotive manufacturer; with the help of the consignee V. Alexander in the US, each flight went off without a hitch.”
There has been an increase in demand across the globe for automotive parts since the beginning of 2021 as vehicle manufacturing resumes after slowing in 2020.
