Antonov Denies Transferring Development Rights to a Russian Company

Ukrainian state-owned aircraft manufacturer Antonov did not transfer development rights and responsibilities for the ‘Ruslan’ plane to a Russian company, the company informs in a press release, Ukrinform reports.

"Recently, there were many enquiries to the state-owned company Antonov regarding the information about the intentions of the aviation authorities of the Russian Federation to stop cooperation with Antonov regarding maintaining the airworthiness of An-124-100 Ruslan planes and transfer the development rights to a Russian company. Antonov makes the official statement that we have not transferred and are not planning to transfer any right or responsibilities, according to the international aviation standards, and continue to perform all the duties as the developer of the civilian aircraft An-124-100 Ruslan," the press release says.

"The company has not transferred the information about trials, which would allow them to perform the duties on maintaining the airworthiness of the plane, to anyone… Any attempt to transfer the duties of the organization that is responsible for standard design to another company while there still is a working developer contradicts ICAO standards, as well as aviation rules and regulations of the EU, US, Ukraine and the Russian Federation," the message says.

In case civilian aircraft An-124-100 Ruslan is withdrawn from the supervision of Antonov, the company will have to release a statement to international aviation organizations about disclaiming responsibility of ensuring safe operation of these aircrafts with international airlines. Antonov claims that withdrawing the aircraft from their supervision would pose "a threat to life and property of the citizens of those countries where the aircraft would operate."

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda