This is an extremely courageous move: In the midst of Russia’s felonious war against Ukraine, a Kyiv-based new cargo airline is about to take off. Its somewhat strange name: Supernova Airlines. The carrier was founded in OCT21 and received its AOC just a few days ago. It is a subsidiary of the private Ukrainian postal service Nova Poshta. Flights are scheduled to start this spring, Nova Poshta assures in a statement.
Hence, everything appears to be in place to launch the first flight. Even more so since the carrier leased two Antonov An-26 freighters. Originally, the newcomer wanted to start air services with Boeing 757 freighters, but management changed its mind and switched to the Ukrainian-built Antonovs. Thus, even if they do not say so, they have scaled down their business plans, since the An-26 can uplift a maximum of 5.5 tons per flight, far less than a B757-200F (27 tons). The range of just 900 km is also significantly lower than that of the B757-200 (4.600 km). However, this lower operational performance seems to be sufficient for the airline's management, at least for the first phase of Supernova Airlines’ commercial journey.
Start outside the country’s borders
As a consequence of the ongoing war, the newcomer will first operate flights from airports located outside Ukraine, as the Eastern European nation’s airspace remains closed for civil aircraft.
Flights from the Ukrainian international airports Kyiv Boryspil and Lviv will be operated once the war comes to an end.
According to the company’s press service, Nova Poshta opened the first Nova Post freight office in Warsaw a week ago, which accepts shipments of up to 1,000 kg.
“We are the first Ukrainian carrier that was able to fulfill all the requirements and receive an operator's certificate under wartime conditions,” stated Director of Supernova Airlines,
Yaroslav Krasnozhon.
Fast and safe logistics are paramount
The executive went on to say: “This is an example of the indomitability of Ukrainians, and a reminder to other businesses that right now is the best time to invest in Ukraine. We believe in
the Armed Forces and understand that fast and safe logistics are paramount to accelerating our victory and providing Ukrainians with the necessary goods. We are very grateful to the specialists
of the State Aviation Service under the leadership of Oleksandr Bilchuk for their professional interaction and search for solutions during the certification procedures in difficult times for the
country.”
Supernova Airlines was established by Nova Poshta, a private mail and courier company, to transport its own parcels and packages and therefore limit third-party delivery services to a minimum.
This allows greater supply chain visibility and control as well as reduced runtimes of goods, the company states. The private postal service provider is owned by Viyacheslav Klimov and Volodymyr
Popereshniuk.
Heiner Siegmund
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