Volga-Dnepr Adding Freighters

Air cargo carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines of Russia took delivery of a third Il-76TD-90VD earlier this year, according to Dennis Gliznoutsa, group commercial director for charters, and will take delivery of its fourth and fifth new generation Il-76TD-90VD freighters in 2011 and 2012.

The new freighter has a payload of up to 50 metric tons, more efficient operating costs, lower fuel burn and greater geographic range compared to the old version of the Il-76.

The outsize cargo market is developing more quickly than the scheduled cargo market, at nine percent annually, according to a report by Volga-Dnepr. The company projects the outsize cargo market to reach US$3 billion by 2020 and US$7 billion by 2030.

Accompanying photo courtesy of Volga-Dnepr