MILITARY SHIPMENTS BOOST ANTONOV AIRLINES’ REVENUE
Antonov Airlines, an airline that specializes in outsize cargoes, reported that its revenue rose by about 25 percent last year, to $140 million.
Citing increased traffic for the military, Antonov said that its high revenue was due to record numbers of bookings, the reintroduction of a refurbished AN 22 aircraft and the commercial launch of the AN 225 aircraft.
Vince Seeger, vice president, commercial at Antonov Airlines, said that the market is exceptionally strong. “In general terms there are ongoing flights into Kabul on behalf of the German and Italian militaries and operations into the Gulf for the British and American forces,” he said.
Antonov Airlines said that it has carried loads such as pre-fab housing, sanitary equipment, medical supplies, food and vehicles required by military camps.
The carrier also benefited from the diversion of freight from ocean to air during the shutdown of U.S. West Coast ports last fall.