OREANDA-NEWS. A reception dedicated to the 30-year anniversary of maiden flight of the AN-124-100 heavy transport designed by ANTONOV Company was organized in Leipzig, Leipzig-Halle airport. This reception was held on the initiative of Embassy of Ukraine in Germany and ANTONOV Company. In this event participated: leaders of political and economical circles, public figures of Germany, airport officials, Embassy representatives, and members of the ANTONOV Company delegation.

Since the year 2006, Leipzig-Halle has been being the basic airport for the AN-124-100 Ruslan, performing cargo transportations within the SALIS program. Since 2007, these airplanes technical maintenance base has been working at this airport.

Speaking at the presentation, Pavel Klimkin, Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, noted the importance of cooperation expansion in this sphere. According to him, the AN-124 became a symbol of confidential relations of Ukraine with countries of NATO and EU. “By way of example of the ANTONOV Company successful activity, – said Mr. Klimkin, – one can see what opportunities and chances open up for EU in result of Ukrainian policy to European integration”.

Johaness Beerman , Head of Suksonia State Chancellor, noted that “basing and maintenance of the aircraft at Leipzig-Halle airport has become one of the key factors of Saksonia successful development as an air service point”. Burhard Jung , Leipzig head-burgomaster, expressed the same opinion. According to him, this program realization had a good influence on Leipzig region: “in 2005 approximately 1900 work places were created, in 2012 this number increased up to 5900. And today Leipzig-Halle is not only one of the most important factors of the Middle Germany logistic branch, but it also plays an important role in the economical development of our region”. Head-burgomaster also said about 50-year partnership between Kiev and Leipzig that was celebrated last year: “The ANTONOV Company is located in Kiev. Organization of the technical maintenance base in Leipzig is another step of development of cooperation between our cities”.

In his turn, Vladimir Korol, First Vice President – Director General of ANTONOV Company, expressed his thanks to the German side for long-term and fruitful cooperation. He has noted that nowadays this interaction is developing in many ways, including participation of German enterprises in construction of the AN-148, AN-158, AN-140 new aircraft. Meanwhile, “Germany is the ANTONOV’s key partner in SALIS program, within which aircraft of joint fleet of our company and Volga-Dnepr group of companies have performed about 1,400 flights, including 222 flights from Germany and 177 to Germany, have carried more than 81,500 t of cargo, including 14,195 t from Germany and 8,440 to Germany. Technical Maintenance base created in Leipzig airport, provides aircraft readiness to take-off in determined terms”, – said Mr. Korol.