New charter operator opens its doors

Strong demand for Russian-built freighters THERE’S A new force in the local air charter market. SOVIET AIR Charter opened its doors late last year offering shippers and forwarding agents access to its fleet of Ilyushin 76 and Antonov 12 aircraft. The Antonov 124 is also available where required. Headed up by Russianborn professional pilot and experienced air charter specialist Evgueny Zakharov, the company has already seen strong demand for its Russian-built freighters. “Mining equipment, big machinery and outsize cargo can’t be accommodated in a normal freighter,” says Zakharov. “Our business is in this small sector of outsize cargo to the Middle East and Africa.” In the last two months Soviet Air has moved telecommunications equipment to Madagascar, oil equipment to Mauretania, humanitarian aid from Dubai to Maputo and election and stage equipment to Nigeria. It has access to two Ilyushins and three Antonov 12s on an immediate basis.