Volga-Dnepr Group has finalised the terms of a deal to acquire 20 Boeing 747-8 Freighters at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The group was the first in Russia to order a 747-8F and took delivery of the first aircraft in 2012. The new aircraft will grow AirBridgeCargo’s fleet and replace current 747-400s, and will be acquired over the next six years through a mix of purchases and leasing.
Volga-Dnepr Group president, Alexey Isaykin says: “Volga-Dnepr intends to provide strong evidence to the market that the unique An-124 and Boeing 747-8 four-engine freighters are still essential to serve the fast-changing requirements of our customers worldwide.”
“The most obvious proof of this is the high demand for Boeing 747-8 and Аn-124 freighters from customers in the aerospace industry, which today represents 30 percent of our overall operations.”
“This is the reason we continue to be so committed to the future of these glorious aircraft and why we are signing long-term agreements with Boeing and General Electric in the Cargo Village at Farnborough.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer, Ray Conner says: “Volga-Dnepr Group is a world-class cargo carrier and an outstanding service provider. Boeing and Volga-Dnepr Group have a long history of successful partnership and I am very proud we can continue this journey together.”
Boeing also signed an agreement with the subsidiaries, AirBridgeCargo and Volga-Dnepr Airlines to provide long-term logistics support for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and its partners using 747-8Fs and Antonov AN-124-100 Freighters.