Atlas Vs Antonov

[Rob]

Antonov applied to the Dept of Transportation use their AN-225 to airlift "a lot" of cargo, specifically shoebox-sized Christmas presents, from US to the Sudan. Other than the fact the load was substantial, no compelling reasons were cited justifying the use of a foreign aircraft on a "fifth freedom" route. Atlas has objected, saying the traffic should go to a US carrier.

Seems as if there have been other uses of Antonov aircraft that weren't strictly justified by outsized cargo. I wondered when somebody would complain.

 

[whatkindoffreshhell]

Who paid for the airlift? Do you have a link?

Atlas will protest anything right now because they're revenue-starved. Their clients are switching from ACMI to in-house. Silly clients.

I'm interested in this story because of the shoeboxes. There is a non-profit group that purchases old schoolbuses, overhauls them into rolling medical clinics and prior to driving these busses to Central America they invite local Girl Scout troops to fill/wrap these shoeboxes with 'little girl' stuff (the kind you'd find at the dollar stores) and pix of themselves as presents for the kids down there.

This is melt-your-heart kinda stuff folks. Gets me welled-up every time I think about it. Simple, genuine and humble.

Anyway, I'd remind Atlas that they exist solely because of American taxpayer generosity (DOD charters) so Atlas should just shaddap and let this one pass...

 

[DHG750R]

[/QUOTE]
Anyway, I'd remind Atlas that they exist solely because of American taxpayer generosity (DOD charters) so Atlas should just shaddap and let this one pass...


Now come on . The sole reason ? not at all . In this day and age where all airlines are chasing revenue , why shouldnt Atlas ?

 

[TAN 767 300]

Finally had time to log-on and peruse the boards....found this interesting.
The item mentioned is operation Christmas Child...Thousands of Sunday school youngsters take shoeboxes and fill them with small useful items and small toys for children aged 3-10 as I recall. Then they wrap them and mark which sex and age group.

The children/or parents kick in the few dollars per box for shipping of these small tokens of Christmas cheer from American kids to needy kids in places like the Sudan.

I belive the kids at our church have sold cookies/ trinkets or whatevers to raise a bit of money for this project.
It is administered by Samaritians Purse (started By Billy Graham)

They could use the best rate available!

 

[Rob]

whatkindof .....

My source for the Antonov-Atlas argument was a Dept. of Transportation filing:

http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf88/260543_web.pdf

If you want to read the whole case, it's docket number 16563. By the way, Atlas said they weren't going to object specifically to the filing by Antonov, but in light of Antonov's dubious (according to Atlas) justification of 5th freedon exemption authority they would "monitor" further requests. Gemini joined in Atlas' filing. Since then, DOT granted the authority and Antonov flew the NY-Sudan lift of shoeboxes..