Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Group confirmed an order for 20 Boeing 747-8 freighters at the UK’s Farnborough Air Show today.
At the same time, the plane maker has signed a reciprocal deal with the Russian firm’s subsidiaries, AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines, to provide long-term logistics support for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and its partners using their 747-8 and Antonov 124-100 freighters.
They will also enter into an agreement to look at future service opportunities.
The 20-aircraft deal includes four that have already been delivered.
President of Volga-Dnepr Group, Alexey Isaykin, said: "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% 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."
Volga-Dnepr was the first Russian carrier to order the Boeing 747-8 Freighter and took delivery of its first aircraft in 2012. The newly-ordered aircraft will replace 747-400s and will be acquired through a mix of direct purchases and leasing over the next six years.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive, Ray Conner, added: “Boeing and Volga-Dnepr Group have a long history of successful partnership and I am very proud we can continue this journey together."
The newly-delivered 747-8 Freighter on display in the Cargo Village at Farnborough will be operated by CargoLogicAir, the new British partner of Volga-Dnepr Group.
