Volga-Dnepr Airlines has supported the Yamal-LNG gas recovery project by flying 130 tonnes of industrial equipment to Sabetta in Russia’s Yamal Peninsula.
The transportation was provided at the request of Russian logistics company, AeroTransCargo, which has already managed the air transportation of over 3,500 tonnes of equipment mostly using Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD and Antonov AN-124-100 Freighters and expertise of Volga-Dnepr Airlines.
For the latest shipments, Volga-Dnepr transported a 30 tonnes high pressure pump and other gas recovery cargo weighing a total of about 130 tonnes on board two AN-124-100 flights.
The equipment is being installed at a liquefied natural gas plant being built on the Yamal Peninsula.
The flights were carried out under challenging conditions with temperatures in the polar region down as low as -35C.
AeroTransCargo director, Alexander Supichenko says: “Taking into consideration such difficult operating conditions, we could only turn to real professionals. We have been working with Volga-Dnepr Airlines since 2015 and have witnessed the vast capabilities of their aircraft and experienced specialists.
“Our company is the contractor to one of the world’s largest oil and gas projects so it is essential for us to meet the terms of our responsibilities and provide continuous equipment supplies to the production site of the ‘Yamal-LNG’ plant.”
The equipment was delivered to Volga-Dnepr’s AN-124-100 from the customer’s warehouse in Novy Urengoy before being loaded into the aircraft using a ramp extension and the freighter’s on board cranes.
The first flight delivered 70 tonnes of equipment to Sabetta International Airport before returning to Novy Urengoy to collect the remaining 60 tonnes to be delivered the next day.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines general director, Mikhail Smirnykh says: “Volga-Dnepr Airlines is widely experienced in providing transportation services under the conditions of the polar and permafrost regions. For example, last year we carried out 20 flights to Baffinland, Canada.
“This year, in cooperation with AeroTransCargo, we are proud to be continuing our support of the major infrastructure project for the new gas processing plant on the Yamal Peninsula.”
