Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Leipzig/Halle Airport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up an emergency logistics and humanitarian hub.

The establishment of the hub further enhances a longstanding strategic cooperation between the two parties.

Volga-Dnepr offers its experience in humanitarian logistics as well as its freighter fleet, while the airport can provide warehousing, long-term storage for emergency cargo and terminal handling.

“2020 has shown that the industry needs to be better prepared to guarantee emergency response when and where it is needed,” said Volga-Dnepr Group executive operating officer Tatyana Arslanova.

“By setting up the humanitarian hub in Leipzig/Halle we are focusing on quality enhancement of the services for the sector and upscaling our capabilities. We are well aware that humanitarian operations admit no delays and we aim for disruption-free cargo transportations to deliver essential commodities, medical supplies, sophisticated equipment or pharmaceutical products.”

Leipzig/Halle Airport head of business development cargo/logistics commented: “Leipzig/Halle Airport is the ideal logistics platform for rapidly handling all kinds of humanitarian aid and a new logistics centre for disaster management is also being built here as part of an EU programme.

“At the same time, the airport is demonstrating its prowess as an efficient hub for medical protective equipment and Covid-19 tests in the battle against the pandemic and is also the starting point for aid flights transporting technical equipment and pharmaceuticals to destinations in Europe, Africa and South America.”