Aeroflot to ditch freighters
25 / 11 / 2009
Air Cargo News has learned that Aeroflot is negotiating to return its MD-11Fs to the lessor, after electing to end its widebody all-cargo services.After the collapse and re-absorption of Aeroflot Cargo into the main airline, it was originally believed that the three MD-11Fs would recommence operations in March, but according to a source the airline has elected to discontinue the services.
The source also stated that the valuable traffic rights will be re-allocated at a meeting of the Russian CAA and interested carriers on 3 December.The bidders for the rights are believed to comprise AirBridge Cargo (ABC) and Polet Airline. If ABC are successful in obtaining the rights it will provide them with a monopoly on many important routes, particularly to/from Asia. It would also reduce the number of operators between Germany and Russia from three to two (ABC and Lufthansa).