Skyport loads 4.3-ton engine onto Prague flight

Central European ground handler Skyport has loaded a CFM56-5B6/P engine onto a Ural Airlines flight from Prague to Yekaterinburg.

Skyport has lifted a 4.3 ton engine onto a Ural Airlines flight at Prague. Prior to loading, the shipment was handled and stored in the advanced logistics system (ALS), Skyport's automatic loading device in its warehouse at Prague Airport.

David Adámek, CEO at Skyport, explained: “Skyport handles aircraft spare parts on a regular basis and our team are experts in the safe and efficient handling of high-value, heavy goods. The team used a Kalmar Forklift with a 12-ton lifting capacity to handle the engine during loading. This is the biggest forklift at Prague Vaclav Havel Airport.”

Yekaterinburg-headquartered Ural Airlines is the fifth largest airline in Russia and operates a fleet of 51 Airbus aircraft from the A320 family, including seven new Airbus NEOs. The loading was undertaken as part of Skyport’s strategic partnership with Ural Airlines, which is represented by East-West Aero in the European Union. 

Skyport Prague logistics centre
The CFM56-5B6/P engine weight 4.3 tons
Skyport

Matvey Koloturskiy, deputy CEO - director of economics at Ural Airlines, said: “Intense operations require regular maintenance of the fleet, including heavy repairs of engines and landing gears.

“With the help of Skyport, Ural Airlines has already transported ten engines and completed 7 leg sets in 2021 to and from its European maintenance partners. We intend to increase our cooperation and are glad that it has developed during the toughest crisis in aviation history.”

Ural Airlines has had its logistics hub in Prague since 2006.