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Ukraine`s Antonov Expands Global Footprint With New An-124 Servicing Hangar in Germany
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A subsidiary of Ukraine’s aviation giant Antonov will construct a new hangar for the maintenance and servicing of An-124 “Ruslan” aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany.
The airport’s press service reported on August 27 that Antonov Logistics Salis GmbH has already begun preparatory work on the project. Once completed, the hangar will span 24,000 square meters. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2027, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the company’s international logistics presence.
“Leipzig/Halle Airport has long been home to Antonov Logistics Salis GmbH, a subsidiary of Ukraine’s state-owned Antonov company. The company has been operating since 2006. ANTONOV Company and its subsidiaries are important and valued partners of our airport, with whom we maintain close cooperation,” the statement read.
Antonov Airlines remains the world’s operator of the An-124 “Ruslan,” one of the heaviest and most capable cargo aircraft in existence. The planes are routinely contracted to transport oversized cargo across the globe and are often used for delivering military equipment to allied nations.
According to Defense Express on August 28, this strategic capacity has made Antonov a vital partner for NATO. Under the Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) program, the Ukrainian company has been providing heavy airlift services for member states. The most recent agreement, signed in 2021, runs through 2026, with strong expectations that it will be extended beyond that date.
The An-124s continue to occupy a unique position in the global market, Defense Express noted. With Russia’s operators excluded from international contracts due to sanctions and isolation, their only real competitor is the American C-5 Galaxy, operated by the US Air Force. This limited competition ensures constant demand for Ukraine’s cargo giants and underscores their enduring strategic importance to both Europe and global logistics.
Earlier, the legendary Ukrainian An-124-100 “Ruslan,” extensively upgraded by Antonov, successfully completed a ferry flight from Kyiv to Leipzig, concluding a multi-year deep modernization program, CFTS reported on July 12.
Antonov PJSC announced the completion of its comprehensive, long-term effort to carry out a full-scale modernization of one of its iconic An-124-100 heavy transport aircraft.
