Chris Jasper/SHANNON
Outsize cargo specialist Volga-Dnepr plans to launch scheduled freight services as part of a major expansion of its operations. The Russian carrier, which offers cargo charters with its Antonov An-124-100 freighters marketed through the UK's HeavyLift Cargo Airlines, may take four Ilyushin Il-96Ts freighters to launch the service, but is also considering other types.
Volga-Dnepr general director Alexey Isaikin says the Ulyanovsk-based airline "is working very hard" on scheduled services and is likely to commit early next year. A launch service will link China with Western Europe via Moscow and possibly on to the USA.
Isaikin says he will only take Il-96s on an aircraft crew maintenance insurance basis "no more expensive than Boeing 747s", and that the lease of Tupolev Tu-204s is also being considered - apparently confirming reports that HeavyLift is negotiating with the Aviastar factory (also based in Ulyanovsk) for four Aviadvigatel PS-90-powered 204 freighters.
The lease of Western types has not been discounted, says Isaikin.
Volga-Dnepr is also adding to its An-124 fleet. The carrier owns six of the type and shares ownership of a seventh with Aviastar, while it has recently taken another aircraft on lease from defunct Titan Airways of Moscow, with a view to buy. A second ex-Titan An-124 is due to be taken later this year, while Isaikin says he is close to concluding a deal with Aviastar for the completion of a part-built example, taking fleet strength to 10.
Volga-Dnepr, already the world's biggest An-124 operator, remains locked in a row with the Antonov Design Bureau over an avionics upgrade of the type, which it regards as vital to future success. Isaikin, however, says he is "fairly optimistic" that the dispute - complicated by Antonov's joint venture with Air Foyle - can be resolved.
Isaikin was speaking at Shannon Airport in Ireland, where Volga-Dnepr has established one of two overseas maintenance sites on the back of low positioning costs. The other is at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Volga-Dnepr is considering setting up similar facilities in Latin America and East Asia, with the former the more likely and sites in Costa Rica and Brazil already being examined. The airline says a Latin American site could generate valuable income through third-party work, given the large number of Soviet-built aircraft in the region.
Volga-Dnepr has also considered expanding its small passenger operation, but says it will not do so until the Russian economy is healthier. For further expansion, Volga-Dnepr plans to change its legal status to allow Western investment, with HeavyLift apparently considering taking a stake.
• Air Foyle and its Ukrainian freight partner Antonov are poised to announce the acquisition of two more Antonov An-124s from Rossiya Airlines, taking the fleet to eight of the type. The partners offer jointly marketed heavylift cargo services using An-124-100s.
However, sources close to the UK airline admit that "the cargo market has been hit hard this year", which has put a strain on the relationship. Other sources say Air Foyle's passenger moves have not helped the situation.
Source: Flight International
