February -10-Volga-Dnepr Group has announced a bullish result for 2008 after seeing a 46 0ncrease in sales over 2007 from its charter and scheduled air cargo services. Revenue for the year rose to USD 1.4 billion.
The group, owner of heavy lift carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines and scheduled cargo AirBridgeCargo Airlines, reported a 25% rise in cargo tonnage for the year compared to 2007. The group transported 267,000 tonnes of cargo while FTKs rose 320ver the 12 month period.
According to these provisional results, the group is now rated 12th in the global ranking of air cargo carriers and is the largest Russian all-cargo airline group.
During the past year, the Group, which is moving to offer a 'cargo supermarket' of all-cargo solutions, continued its aircraft fleet improvement programme by taking delivery of two new B747-400ER freighters from Boeing to replace older B747-200Fs in the AirBridgeCargo Airlines fleet; operating two modernised IL-76TD-90VD freighters and providing funds for construction of another three aircraft of the same type; and commencing negotiations with Russia United Aircraft Corporation (OAK) for a new AN-124-100Ì-150 aircraft.
