Volga-Dnepr Group’s plan to launch a new freighter airline in Germany is nearing fruition, following the recruitment of air cargo expert Ulrich Ogiermann to consult and help launch the carrier.
It is thought that the Russian group is planning an offshoot of CargoLogicAir in Leipzig. However, according to German aviation website Barig, Volga-Dnepr airline AirBridgeCargo is advertising six jobs in Leipzig, including director ground operations, director continuing airworthiness and HR manager – positions which do not appear on ABC’s own website under “careers”.
One air cargo source said: ”These jobs are based at Leipzig, so why would ABC need them?”
It is thought that Volga-Dnepr Group had originally wanted to register AN-124 aircraft in the UK, but was unable to. However, the UK Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that neither Volga-Dnepr nor CargoLogicAir has applied to register Antonov aircraft in the UK. The AN-124 is not certified as an EASA aircraft, so would not be automatically eligible for a Certificate of Airworthiness in the UK or any other EASA state. No Antonov aircraft are currently listed on the UK Registry.
The Leipzig airline, if allowed by Germany’s civil aviation authority, could see AN-124s registered there, where Volga-Dnepr already bases some of its AN-124s, while AirBridgeCargo operates scheduled flights at the airport. Volga-Dnepr also has a maintenance facility at Leipzig.
One source said: “I think Germany will allow the Antonovs on the German registry because of the sway Volga-Dnepr holds in Leipzig.”
The airport is also keen to attract more freight activities.
Mr Ogiermann, pictured below, resigned from Qatar Airways, where he was chief cargo officer, at the end of last year and has just finished his contract there.
Former Cargolux colleague, Robert van de Weg, who has rejoined Volga-Dnepr Group as vice president sales and marketing, told this month he could be involved in the new carrier once it takes off.
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