HEAVY-LIFT specialist Antonov Airlines is abandoning its Hostomel, Kiev base for the safer environs of Germany's Leipzig Airport, reports London's Simply Flying.

The heavy-lift specialist airline made headlines in early 2022 when Hostomel became the site of heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Several of its aircraft were destroyed as a result of the conflict. Meanwhile, at the Worldwide Project Consortium conference in Vienna, Austria, Antonov Airlines confirmed their new home base.

The airline detailed the extent of damage to Hostomel Airport and the airline's infrastructure.

During the presentation, Antonov declared their Hostomel base was destroyed, along with three planes, AN-225 Mriya, AN-74, and an AN-26-100.

Two other aircraft, an AN-124, and an AN-22A, are damaged with a decision about their future yet to be made.

"As a result of the Russian attack and occupation of the airfield, significant damage has been caused to its infrastructure, office buildings, hangars, as well as the destruction of the AN-74T, AN-26-100, and AN-225," said the airline.

Source Shipping Gazette