Operating in the air cargo transportation market for the last fifteen years Polet Cargo Airlines has come a long way from an aircraft leasing partnership to one of the major aviation companies, which owns and operates the unique AN-124-100 aircraft.

These were hard but remarkable years. We have created a well-equipped and fairly manageable commercial airline. Time proved our feasibility studies have turned out to be correct and risks have paid off: at present Polet enjoys a well-deserved position among the operators specializing in outsize and heavy cargo transportation.

The company's sound reputation has been attracting reliable partners and devoted customers. Our steady success is largely due to the efficient, reliable and high-quality service we offer.
I am especially proud of the fact that in all the years of the company operation there has never been a case of a broken contract.

Polet has never made any secret of its ambition to become a major global player and, to that end, is officially registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization and licensed to fly all over the world.

Competition in air cargo transportation market has always been tense and now it is growing tougher. However, achievements to date and our determination we have embodied in expanding our business are recognized by all major international agencies and make us feel proud.

Our mission is to remain a permanent feature in the worldwide air cargo industry.

POLET GROWS FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Since the advent in 1988 as a private company and its development into a well-known international cargo transportation expert, Polet Cargo Airlines has displayed an appetite for excellence in outsize air cargo and is recognized as one of the industry's success stories.

From the very start of the company's operation Polet demonstrated its ambitious character. Initially the company acquired only one AN-30 aircraft, which carried freight and personnel working on a shift basis to northern gas deposits. As more orders were coming from commercial clients and Armed Forces, Polet was getting more experience and acquiring more aircraft.

In the mid-90s Polet began the aggressive rejuvenation of its fleet. It purchased two AN-124-100s opening new horizons for the company's business development. As a result Polet was becoming more involved in transportation of outsize and super heavy cargo.

Time proves it has been a wise decision.

Despite the fact that it is still considered something of a niche market, the movement of outsize air cargo continues to grow at a greater rate than the general airfreight market. The airlines serving this specific segment continue to increase their business with ongoing expansion of coverage and improvement of services.

In April 1998 Polet performed the installation of a new purpose-built rail system to facilitate loading and transportation of extra-heavy and unique one-piece cargoes of up to 100 tons in weight. It greatly expanded our opportunities in the worldwide market meaning that Polet Cargo Airlines were in the position to offer unparalleled flexibility, time efficient loading and ultimate delivery of a single or multiple outsized cargo pieces.

Growing into a major player on the outsize and heavy cargo transportation market and doing the market research we discovered a vast potential and demand for a 'reliable and professional oversize cargo carrier' in the US and Canada. To follow the track the company submitted an official application for a license to operate its Antonovs in the United States of America. The application was approved by the US Department of Transport in October 1999.

Furthermore, in May 2001 inspectors of Canadian Civil Aviation Authorities have approved our expertise and the Canadian Foreign Air Operator Certificate was issued.

Another factor, which sets Polet apart from its competitors is the involvement in the space technology program. Polet Cargo Airlines is the only operator of ÀN-124-100 licensed by the Russian Space Agency for transportation of satellites and satellite rockets.

Beyond any doubt, acquisition of four other AN-124-100 aircraft for implementation of Air Launch project was the main event of the year 2000.

In the year 2001 pursuing the intention to strengthen our stand in the air cargo transportation market we have ordered a new, the 8th, AN-124.

Taking into account the increase of our fleet and a network of licenses all over the world the next step Polet is going to take to further development is the establishment of commercial offices in North America and Southeastern Asia.

BIGTIME CHARTER MOVER

When a company has a fleet of AN-124-100 aircraft for charter, it is no surprise that it attracts big charter customers. Whole consignment or even individual items can weigh over 50 tons and be hauled by such operators.

Our airlines is no stranger to charter operations that produce heavy-weight and outsize movements - a 60-ton mill for diamond mining, for instance, which required a specially built trestle to place the cargo on the platform and use of onboard winches to load the aircraft, is just one charter undertaken by us recently.

Company's commitment to continued innovation in outsize air cargo movements was also displayed by our decision to acquire a six-platform loading equipment rail system as opposed to other operators using a three-platform system.

At short notice, this equipment can be loaded onto the aircraft in order to cater for any size, type or weight of heavy outsized cargo wherever it is located. In certain cases, when the issue of loading extremely heavy items of cargo is critical, Polet Cargo Airlines will send its fully qualified load masters to the customer's premises where individual drawings can be made to ensure the loading requirements are satisfied. If such a request is lodged, Polet guaranties to protect the commercial interests of all the parties.

We can take twelve 20-feet or six 40-feet standard sea containers aboard an aircraft without any special effort.

However, if we need to get involved in general air cargo, we are equally at home transporting a 100-ton shipment of grapes.

"Our mission is to remain a permanent feature in the worldwide air
cargo industry."

At the moment our aircraft are capable of operating in every geographical location, and are designed to transport cargo over long distances.