Serving more than 79,000 flights at Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Pulkovo airports in Russia UTG Aviation Services has awarded a €3m contract to Mallaghan (providers of airport ground support equipment) for the provision of six de-icing units.
The equipment will be used by the UTG Domodedovo ground handling company at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow. “Winter conditions in Moscow are one of the worst on the European continent in regards of icing precipitation,” said Artyom Rakov from UTG Domodedovo. “Some seasons we have more than 100 de-icing days and our ground support equipment (GSE) must be able to withstand these harsh conditions,” he added.
“Aircraft safety is always imperative, thus efficient procedures and innovative technology allow UTG Aviation Services holdings to ensure a seamless experience for passengers despite the challenging weather conditions.
“Together with engineers from JSC ‘Aerosmart Systems’, another company from UTG Aviation Services specialising in GSE maintenance and rentals, we have advised on developing 50+ changes for special package of equipment – ‘Arctic Kit’ for those de-icers.
“Mallaghan has done an incredible job. They have extensive experience in the manufacturing of ground support equipment, so had the capability to adapt the technology for our strict and very demanding requirements.
“The team had a complete understanding of our needs based on its vast experience and we worked very closely throughout the design and manufacture of these units.”
Commenting on how this is Mallaghan’s first entry to the Russian de-icer market, Owen McKenna, Sales Director at Mallaghan, said: “The requirements were quite unique and challenging so the technical specification is therefore entirely bespoke.”
Whilst the Mallaghan product portfolio has traditionally focused on passenger stairs, high lift trucks for catering and cabin cleaning, de-icers, water trucks and toilet trucks, the company recently launched an Airport Bus.
