The maintenance arm of Russian air cargo specialist Volga-Dnepr Group has opened a hangar at Leipzig airport, Germany.

Volga-Dnepr Technics plans to expand its existing widebody MRO capabilities for its own fleet to cover third-party Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 customers.

The 8,500m² (91,500ft²) facility, which has been leased from the airport operator, can accommodate a large freighter up to the 747-8 or four narrowbody aircraft.

Volga-Dnepr Technics will service its own fleet - comprising 747s, Antonov An-124s and Ilyushin Il-76s - but also plans to support third-party customers, including passenger airlines.

The MRO provider says that US cargo operator Kalitta Air "confirmed its intention" to use the company's services.

While it plans to establish 747 C-check capability by the end of this year, Volga-Dnepr wants to extent this to 737 and A320 aircraft in 2014.

A wheel and brake repair shop will be opened this year, later being complemented with facilities for composite and structural repairs.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news