Volga adds modernised Ilyushin

VOLGA-Dnepr Airlines has added a fourth modernised Il-76TD-90VD cargo aircraft to its fleet.

The new freighter completed its first commercial flight on 31 December from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (Russia) to Bahrain before returning to Moscow.

The fourth new generation Il-76TD-90VD freighter was built to order at the Tashkent Chkalov Aviation Factory following the contract signed between UAC – Transport Aircraft and Volga-Dnepr-Leasing at the MAKS 2007 International Aerospace Show.

Dennis Gliznoutsa (pictured), vice-president for sales Volga-Dnepr Airlines, said the increase in the Il-76TD-90VD fleet will allow Volga-Dnepr to respond to market demand more flexibly and expeditiously.

“The aircraft performs to an extremely high standard for airfreight transportation and is in high demand by our customers. The entry of the fourth Il-76TD-90VD into service facilitates our plans to gain a larger share of the cargo market for shipments in the up to 50 [metric] tonnes category of the international market. The demand for modernised Il-76TD-90VD services is due to its ability to operate globally without restrictions and because older versions of the aircraft are gradually being taken off the market,” he added.

Volga expects to take delivery of its fifth Il-76TD-90VD in May 2012. The airline initiated the Il-76 modernisation programme in 2002.