Boeing 777 Freighter Joins the Volga-Dnepr Group

777 Freighter’s superior range and efficiency to complement Volga-Dnepr’s fleet

- Volga-Dnepr becomes the 19th operator to date to use the large-capacity twin-engine freighter.

SEATTLE, Aug. 17, 2020 – A Boeing [NYSE:BA] 777 Freighter today joined the Volga-Dnepr Group fleet of 22 Boeing freighters today, departing Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The fuel efficient twin-engine freighter will begin operations with AirBridgeCargo, a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr.

AirBridgeCargo will operate the airplane via a sale-leaseback agreement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE).

“We are delighted to welcome Volga-Dnepr Group as our newest customer as they introduce the 777 Freighter to their fleet,” said Firoz Tarapore, DAE’s Chief Executive Officer. “DAE Capital is the world’s largest lessor of the profitable and efficient 777 Freighter. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Volga-Dnepr Group as they continue to grow their successful operations.”

Volga-Dnepr Group is among the world's largest Boeing freighter operators, flying 17 747 freighters and five 737 freighters, including 13 747-8F, four 747-400ERF, two 737-800BCF and three 737-400SF.

The 777 Freighter, which can fly 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 kilometers), can carry a payload of 224,900 lbs. (102,010 kg), more cargo capacity than any other twin-engine freighter. Of all production freighters, only the 747F and 777 Freighter are capable of carrying tall and outsized cargo loads on 3-meter (10-foot) tall pallets. This common main-deck pallet height capability enables interchangeable pallets for both models. In addition, the 777F main deck side cargo door is extraordinarily wide at 3.72 meters (146.5 inches), giving that airplane outsized carriage capability beyond tall payloads.

"We are honored to partner with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Volga-Dnepr Group to introduce the 777 Freighter to Volga’s customers,” said Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company. “We look forward to introducing the unsurpassed efficiency and capability of the 777 Freighter to complement Volga’s existing fleet.”

Boeing provides more than 90 percent of the worldwide dedicated freighter capacity. Customers have ordered 231 777 Freighters since the program began in 2005. Volga-Dnepr becomes the 19th operator to date to use the large-capacity twin-engine freighter.

TIANJIN BINHAI AIRPORT CHINA, - 07/2020

Helloeddie

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Los Angeles - USA

Excellent start to 2017 for AirBridgeCargo

The carrier's freight traffic has been growing for 13 years in a row (ABC)

Strategic fleet and network growth, coupled with solid global demand for premium exports such as pharmaceuticals, has resulted in Russian freight operator AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Group, transporting 17% more cargo year-on-year in Q1 2017, to 158,000 tons.

The carrier’s load factor rose to 70% year-on-year in the period. Its pharmaceuticals shipments grew by 70%; demand for outsize cargo services rose by 15%.

ABC’s stratagem of developing its network in Asia over the last 24 months appears to have borne fruit. Coupled with market growth, the carrier’s intra-Asian tonnage rose by 19% in Q1.

In Asia, AirBridgeCargo operates B747 freighter services to and from Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Hanoi, Taipei, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, and most recently Taipei.

High demand for exports from Europe saw the carrier’s European tonnage rise by 22%. Gowth was reported on all routes, notably to Asia at 24% year-on-year.

ABC is also continuing to expand its North America business, operating up to 30 flights per week on routes serving Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

General Director Sergey Lazarev says a number of factors, including higher customer satisfaction, have contributed to the operator’s exceptional first-quarter performance: “Not only are we benefiting from the general market revival, we are also seeing the benefits of our product development strategy, which has been implemented to ensure compliance with our customers’ expectations.”

Another key factor is better alignment of the company’s structure with its customer communications strategy. “We will continue to stay in close contact with our customers to provide the network of services and product solutions they require, and this will be supported by further growth of our fleet and a closer focus on the transportation of special cargoes,” Lazarev notes.

The airline operates 17 Boeing 747 freighters, having taken delivery of its 10th 747-8F in March this year. The development has contributed to a 7% increase in frequencies across the ABC route network.
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