newstodate.aero
OCT 07, 2004 (newstodate): Kenya-based operator of Russian freighters, Astral Aviation based in Kenya, has seen a busy year due to the Darfur crisis.
-We are doing an average of two AN-12 charters every week for the various aid agencies based in Kenya, says Sanjeev S. Gadhia, Stral Aviation commercial director.
-At the moment, we have a dedicated AN-12 which is providing the Nairobi-Nyala and Nairobi-El Fasher service with 15 tons payload. In addition, we also operate the same aircraft into Abeche and N'djamena with 12 tons payload.
-The relief flights into Darfur are complicated by the fact that there is no fuel at the end-destination. Hence fuel stops have to be done on both the outbound and return sector, he says.
Astral operates a fleet of AN-12 aircraft for which it has been awarded an A.O.C and Air Service License by the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority. In addition, Astral Aviation also operates Cessna Caravan 208, Antonov-72 (AN72), Ilyushin-76 (IL-76) and DC8-62F aircraft.
Relating to the Darfur relief operations, Astral Aviation provides uplift of emergency relief cargo from Nairobi to Nyala, El Fasher, El Obeid, Geneina, and Abeche. The company also offers consolidation of emergency relief cargo at Nairobi, and provides an airbridge for relief cargo shipments from Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East via Nairobi with partner airlines.
-We are doing an average of two AN-12 charters every week for the various aid agencies based in Kenya, says Sanjeev S. Gadhia, Stral Aviation commercial director.
-At the moment, we have a dedicated AN-12 which is providing the Nairobi-Nyala and Nairobi-El Fasher service with 15 tons payload. In addition, we also operate the same aircraft into Abeche and N'djamena with 12 tons payload.
-The relief flights into Darfur are complicated by the fact that there is no fuel at the end-destination. Hence fuel stops have to be done on both the outbound and return sector, he says.
Astral operates a fleet of AN-12 aircraft for which it has been awarded an A.O.C and Air Service License by the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority. In addition, Astral Aviation also operates Cessna Caravan 208, Antonov-72 (AN72), Ilyushin-76 (IL-76) and DC8-62F aircraft.
Relating to the Darfur relief operations, Astral Aviation provides uplift of emergency relief cargo from Nairobi to Nyala, El Fasher, El Obeid, Geneina, and Abeche. The company also offers consolidation of emergency relief cargo at Nairobi, and provides an airbridge for relief cargo shipments from Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East via Nairobi with partner airlines.