Air Freight Maintenance Specialist Spreads Its Wings Across the Gulf

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Volga-Dnepr Technics which supplies a network of approved Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MROs) providing services for the giant Antonov An-124-100 “Ruslan” freighters and other aircraft around the globe, has commenced operations in its new maintenance hangar facility in Sharjah. Volga-Dnepr Gulf (VD Gulf), representing Volga-Dnepr Technics in the Middle East region, in turn part of the parent group which specialises in moving out of gauge and heavy lift air freight consignments, began by towing one of the huge aircraft into its new facility.

On April 8th 2013 Volga-Dnepr Gulf obtained an official Operations Approval for the hangar facility issued by the Department of Civil Aviation Government of Sharjah, confirming that VD Gulf has successfully completed the required hangar safety procedures and is ready to provide aircraft maintenance, component repair and overhaul services. Subsequent to this the first plane was pulled into the new hangar without a hitch (no pun intended).

The towing procedure was carried out in cooperation with Sharjah International Airport Ground Handling Department and Aerosafety Management Department. During the towing procedure, VD Gulf technical staff conducted adjustments and testing of the facility’s docking systems, as well as the mark-up for placing the aircraft in the hangar and other related procedures. Another important task involved utilizing the communication systems for staff involved in the towing process.

Volga-Dnepr says the launching of the new 22,000 square meter hangar complex at Sharjah Airport will allow the company to uphold its market position in the UAE. The hangar will be able to simultaneously accommodate six narrow-body aircraft or two wide-body aircraft of the Boeing 747 or Antonov AN-124 type. The facility is equipped with all necessary tools and equipment as well as modern air conditioning and fire fighting systems to perform safety maintenance services for the various aircraft types up to C-check.

Victor Sherin, Managing Director of Volga-Dnepr Gulf, was clearly delighted with the latest step made by the maintenance subsidiary congratulating the entire team for a job and saying that the development was an historic milestone for the Group as a whole.