Australia decides Ruslan International An-124 fleet is fully Chapter 3 noise compliant

Australia’s Department of Infrastructure and Transportation has issued specific confirmation that all Antonov An-124 aircraft managed by Ruslan International (the joint venture company which markets and manages the combined fleet of 17 An-124 aircraft belonging to its parents Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr Airlines) are now exempt from the recently-introduced requirement to prove that they are being operated “in the public interest”, before permission is granted to fly into or out of Australia.

The decision follows the submission of noise certificates for all the aircraft, which proved sufficient to satisfy the department that the fleet fully complies with Chapter 3 ICAO noise standards, and is not impacted by the MCC3 noise levels regulations.

Previously, Ruslan International was required to submit “letters of support” from its charter principals to the Department of Infrastructure and Transportation, evidencing that flights were in the public interest, in order to obtain operating rights. In practice, this process did not result in the prevention of any Ruslan International planned operation.

Ruslan International has previously operated flights into and out of Australia, and transiting Australia. Its customers have included both the military and commercial users – of which the mining industry is a significant element.

Says Ruslan International’s Business Development Manager, Michael Goodisman: “Throughout the period during which the requirement applied to our aircraft, we were always hopeful that our flights would be allowed to operate – given their irregular nature, and the fact that there is generally no alternative aircraft for the outsize project cargoes we carry.

“However, we are very pleased with this new development. It allows both Ruslan International and our customers to plan future flights within Australian airspace with confidence.”

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About Ruslan International:

The company was formed in July 2006 as a joint venture of Antonov Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines, to provide marketing of both airlines’ An-124 fleets (which total 17 aircraft) with the aim of optimising their utilisation.

The decision to streamline and centralise the marketing function stemmed from the two carriers’ already successful collaboration in the ‘Ruslan Salis’ operation – a joint project that continues to provide NATO with a dedicated aircraft from each fleet. The cooperation was further driven by the need more efficiently to serve the ad-hoc charter market, as well as satisfy existing long-term contracts requiring the allocation of significant portions of both carriers’ fleets.

The Ruslan International concept has now evolved further, enabling the two airline partners to pool spare parts and loading equipment, as well as acting as the vehicle for both airlines’ efforts to resurrect production of the An124 – thus safeguarding the future availability of this unique aircraft.

Both airlines retain their separate and distinct identities, and the 17-strong combined fleet of An-124 aircraft continues to operate in the liveries of the individual aircrafts’ respective owners.

Ruslan International comprises five key departments:

Operations
Responsible for flight-watch, permit applications and the scheduling of both fleets.

Commercial
Responsible for handling charter enquiries, price negotiations and contracts.

Customer Service
Responsible for the after-sales coordination of all flights.

Load Planning
Responsible for pre-flight cargo preparation and planning.

Route Planning
Responsible for flight routing and flight planning procedures.

About the An-124:
The Antonov An-124 “Ruslan” was first flown for military purposes in 1982, and civil certification was issued in 1992. The aircraft was manufactured in parallel by the Russian company Aviastar-SP and by the Kyiv Aviation Plant AVIANT, in Ukraine. The last airframe was completed in 2004, but plans are now afoot to re-start production.

Externally, the An-124 is similar to the American military Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, but has a 25% larger payload. An-124s have been used to carry a wide variety of loads including railway locomotives, ocean yachts, aircraft fuselages, B777 engines, and even the occasional elephant. The An-124 is able to kneel to allow easier front loading. The cargo compartment of the An-124 measures 36.5m x 6.4m x 4.4m and the maximum payload is 120,000 kg.

For further information and comment please contact:

Ruslan International:
Michael Goodisman, Business Development Manager michael.goodisman@ruslanint.com
Telephone: +44 (0)1279 682139

Or

Pilot Marketing Services:
Derek Jones, Account Director dj@pilotmarketing.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8941 5381

Issued on behalf of
Ruslan International Ltd.
Endeavour House, Coopers End Road, Stansted Airport, Essex CM24 1AL, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)1279 682100