Massive Antonov An-124 cargo plane impounded by Canada to be given to Ukraine.

A massive Antanov An-124 Volga Dnepr cargo plane that had been confiscated by Canadian authorities in February 2022 a few days after Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine will now be given to Ukraine, according to local sources.

The massive jet, registration RA-82078 arrived on 27th February, just four days after Russia's invasion started and the same day Canadian airspace was closed to all Russian-operated aircraft.  This meant the big An-124 had been grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport ever since.

The aircraft will now be given to Ukraine after a legal ruling by Ukrainian Courts that Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency illegally approved air-worthiness certifications for all twelve of the Antonov An-124s in the Volga Dnepr fleet.  

The matter was discussed during a meeting on 11th April 2023 between the Prime Ministers of both nations, Denys Shmyhal and Justin Trudeau which helped facilitate the transfer. 

Since the start of the conflict, Antonov Airlines has operated an active fleet of five An-124-100 aircraft which it rehomed at Leipzig - Halle Airport in Germany. It is understood RA-82078 will be transferred to the fleet within the next two months. 

According to reports,  three other Volga-Dnepr An-124 aircraft, registrations RA-82043, RA-82045 and RA-82046 are impounded in Germany and their fate is unclear although it is unlikely they will return to the skies this year.

BOC takes back one 747-8 freighter from AirBridge Cargo

BOC  Aviation has repossessed a Boeing 747-8 Freighter that had been leased to Volga-Dnepr Group subsidiary AirBridge Cargo that was in Hong Kong.

The four-engine plane was ferried to California after a judge agreed it should be returned to the leasing giant following legal action started by BOC. In court documents filed on 14th March, the lessor said the plane was worth nearly $150 million and the Russian airline had breached the lease contracts on two other 747-8 cargo planes that were flown to Russia against BOC's wishes after they had grounded them in China. The insurance on those aircraft had been cancelled on 5th March. 

The leasing firm has 18 aircraft currently leased to Russian airlines which could be affected by the insurance cancellation. One of the planes was also flown back to Russia despite having its airworthiness certificate being withdrawn by the Bermudian authorities where the aircraft was registered.  

AirBridge Cargo has refused to make a comment.

BOC is not alone in having difficulty in recovering leased aircraft from Russian airlines, one of the largest leasing firms AerCap has been trying to get some of the 100 or so aircraft it has in the country back. Those attempts have not been successful and it has submitted an insurance claim for some $3.5 billion it says those aircraft are worth. This is the start of what will undoubtedly be a long and intense process which could lead to it being virtually impossible for Russian airlines to be able to lease western planes in future.  

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Volga-Dnepr’s integrated logistics solutions bolstered the delivery of medical equipment for oxygen production in Nevinnomyssk

                             Volga-Dnepr, one of the largest groups of air cargo carriers with expertise in integrated logistics services, has offered an effective solution to transport special equipment for the production of liquid medical oxygen. The dedicated cargo weighing over 16 tonnes has safely arrived aboard Il-76TD-90VD from Shanghai (China) to Mineralnye Vody (Russia) to be further transported to Nevinnomyssk - the construction site for the future plant built by Medical Oxygen, LLC with support of Arnest Group.

The Volga-Dnepr’s specialists have been working in close cooperation with the customer to map out possible delivery options, choosing the most appropriate aircraft type, dealing with terminal handling in the airport of origin and organizing last-mile delivery from the airport of destination to Nevinnomyssk.

Ekaterina Andreeva, Commercial Director of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, highlighted: “The experience and expertise of our team enable us to expand our boundaries from air freight to more complex integrated logistics solutions. In the case of medical equipment transportation, there is no time to lose. Our structured relations with suppliers and in-depth understanding of each supply chain step allowed us to organize this transportation smoothly and effectively, paying particular attention to 120 km last-mile delivery. For us, healthcare projects are a top priority as they are all part of our life-saving logistics strategy aimed at overcoming the pandemic and its consequences”.

It is expected that the first production line of the plant will turn out up to 10 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen per day with further plans to upscale it to 20 tonnes per day.

Volga-Dnepr Group continues expanding the scope of its logistics services relying on its long-term experience, a diversified fleet of capable freighters and the competencies of its specialists.

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Volga-Dnepr Group signs deal with Singapore Space & Technology Ltd for future space logistics

Volga-Dnepr Group, the leading group in the air transport services with expertise in integrated logistics services, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore Space & Technology Ltd (SSTL) to support Singapore, as well as other countries of Southeast Asia, in the field of space logistics.

The agreement was officially signed during the Global Space and Technology Convention (GSTC) 2022 held in Singapore at the beginning of February, with the signing ceremony being attended by senior managers of both parties and the Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Singapore.

The Group will be able to offer its integrated logistics services to support SSTL's network of space companies for the launch of their satellites, whereas SSTL will create more awareness of the Group’s services in the Singapore space ecosystem. With 30+ years of experience and competence in the aerospace sector, Volga-Dnepr will provide transportation and charter services for satellites, fr om manufacturing and assembly sites to required end destinations, covering, if required, design solution, first/last mile, terminal handling, customers clearance, to name a few.

Oleg Novikov, Development Director, Southeast Asia of Volga-Dnepr Group, highlights: “Within our Group, we strongly believe in partnerships that broaden capabilities and open new opportunities not only for two companies but also for the whole sector. The aerospace sector has been demonstrating positive dynamics amid the active development of satellites’ launch programmes, ramped up by IoT (internet of things) penetration across various industries, mobile network spread, including 5G, and other forward-thinking projects. We are happy to be part of this challenging environment and spin aerospace logistics across the globe in the interest of our partners and customers”.

Jonathan Hung, Executive Chairman of SSTL, comments: “Through this partnership, Volga-Dnepr Group will work with SSTL to provide transportation and charter services for satellites, and support SSTL's network of space companies to navigate relevant regulatory requirements, providing an alternative option for satellite airlift. To illustrate this, On 27 January 2022, the Ilyushin Il-76, an enormous freighter owned by Volga-Dnepr Airlines, carried a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite owned by Japanese-based Earth Observation space company, Synspective, a portfolio company in SSTL’s Space Accelerator Programme. The freighter landed at Auckland International Airport, wh ere the satellite is destined to be launched into orbit by New Zealand-founded space company Rocket Lab. This is a clear example of what SSTL and Volga-Dnepr Group can achieve together to support the Aerospace industry.”

Volga-Dnepr has been providing dedicated logistics services for the aerospace industry for more than three decades delivering satellites, aircraft spare parts and even parts of the fuselage. Throughout 2021 the Group has delivered over 4,000 tonnes of aerospace equipment aboard its unique ramp freighters - An-124 and Il-76 and is set to support its customers further.

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Chapman Freeborn and Volga-Dnepr Airlines transport six helicopters from Greece to Australia

Chapman Freeborn and Volga-Dnepr Airlines have successfully collaborated with McDermott Aviation to demobilise helicopters from Greece. This most recent operation involved the repatriation of 6 McDermott Aviation Bell 214B helicopters to Australia on an AN124 aircraft.

The helicopters, totalling 35 tonnes, were flown individually into Athens Airport (ATH) by a single pilot who landed them on the tarmac prior to them being dismantled airside and exported as IATA-compliant air cargo. Usually exports would take place within a cargo terminal, however the Bell 214Bs’ exceptional versatility enables a level of mobility that is invaluable when dealing with complex load planning, airport coordination and constraints pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loading onto the AN124 was executed with the help of Volga-Dnepr’s internal cranes, external equipment and the highly-specialised expertise of Volga-Dnepr and McDermott Aviation crew.

It is a rare occurrence and colossal achievement for 6 helicopters to be transported in one aircraft simultaneously, and the success of this charter required all parties involved to embrace this challenging and dynamic situation. The Chapman Freeborn team worked closely with experts including McDermott’s helicopter engineers, Volga-Dnepr’s loadmaster and other crew from both organisations comprising of 24 people in total, to seamlessly coordinate the operation.

The team also navigated complexities presented by COVID-19 to ensure PCR tests, vaccinations and COVID-safe procedures were all prioritised.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, this important and rare charter meant that the 6 helicopters arrived punctually at Perth Airport (PER).

Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Albion Aviation Group have worked together to find the most effective solution for the transportation of dedicated equipment for the Dubai Expo

Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Albion Aviation Group have worked together to find the most effective solution for the transportation of dedicated equipment in support of the Dubai Expo 2020 which opened on Friday.

The cargo, weighing over 20 tonnes and measuring 418 cubic meters in total consisted of fragile furniture which was to be delivered from Athens (Greece) to Dubai (UAE). With no time to waste Volga-Dnepr’s team have brought aboard its engineering specialists who offered packaging solutions and optimized the load plan to make sure that delicate cargo is safely transported onboard An-124-100. The cargo uploading was coordinated by the Albion Flight manager who flew to Athens to monitor the whole process in close cooperation with Volga-Dnepr’s team.

Lewis King, Director of Albion Aviation Group, comments: “This charter required a lot of meticulous planning and within an extremely short space of time, but with the extensive support of the experienced Volga-Dnepr’s team the flight was a success and it’s an honour for Albion to be able to support the Dubai Expo 2020 via one of our clients”.

Ekaterina Andreeva, Commercial Director of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, highlights: “We understand too well the importance of meeting the deadlines for the exhibitions and shows being the member of major industry events ourselves. That said, we called upon the best specialists from our global team to come up with the packaging solutions and load plan, at the same time following our standard charter flight approval process. In the end, we are happy to see the completion of another successful project cargo flight and we will drop by Dubai Expo when our team is there for Dubai Air Show”.

Volga-Dnepr Group, consisting of three all-cargo airlines, offers its customers effective logistics solutions based on its 30+ years of experience and expertise.

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Volga-Dnepr delivered over 110 tons of essential cargo to Porte-au-Prince following the devastating earthquake in Haiti

Volga-Dnepr Group - one of the international leaders for humanitarian logistics, has delivered over 110 tons of essential cargo to Porte-au-Prince following the devastating earthquake in Haiti which hit the county on the 14th of August.

The Group was able to adapt its fleet of versatile freighters and organize two charter flights – aboard An-124-100 and Il-76TD-90VD – to deliver relief cargo which included tents, water purifiers, mobile kitchens and general cargo will help the national population to overcome the difficult times and stay healthy.

Pauli Immonen, Deputy Director Healthcare and Humanitarian, highlights: ‘In times of emergency, there is no time to waste - this is the rule of thumb we follow when we get humanitarian requests. Thanks to aligned and long-standing relations with freight forwarders, brokers, NGOs, humanitarian agencies, airport authorities and other stakeholders we guarantee a fast and seamless response and organize life-saving air transport to almost any region or country of the world’.

Those first two flights from Madrid and Liege Airport had cargo from several United Nations agencies, national and International Red Crosses and many International Non-Governmental Organizations supported by several European Governments. The Group keeps on working with the partners to transport other essential cargo to Haiti and plans on operating more flights to the region in need.

The Group’s emergency aid and relief operations date back to the 1990s when it started organizing its charter flights with relief cargo aboard to help population in needs to overcome the consequences of natural and man-made disasters.

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Volga-Dnepr Airlines shifts our urgently needed Bell 214B fire fighting helicopters to Greece

Volga-Dnepr Airlines has masterminded urgent delivery of four Bell 214B helicopters with tanks and other associated equipment from Australia to Greece.

The complex delivery was organized in partnership with Chapman Freeborn Australia and McDermott Aviation – Heli-Lift within the toughest timeframes - only two days after confirmation An-124-100 was positioned to Australia to commence its journey to Athens (Greece) with double pick-up at Wellcamp and Perth (Australia). The cargo, weighing over 30 tons, has been split between two locations, with two helicopters and equipment to be uplifted in each airport.

It is expected that four water-bombers will ramp up Greek efforts to battle wildfires which have significantly spread over the last weeks. 48 hours after landing and reassembly in Athens they joined the fleet of other Bell 214B.

Ekaterina Andreeva, Commercial Director, Volga-Dnepr Airlines, highlights: ‘This is the first time throughout our 30 years of operations when we transported four helicopters on a single occasion, with the loading being done in two steps. This requires exquisite workmanship of the loadmasters, technicians, and crew and is only achieved by accurate calculations, powered by experience and respective competence in helicopters' transportations. Since 1990, Volga-Dnepr has accomplished deliveries of more than 40 types of helicopters for humanitarian missions, medical, firefighting, law enforcement, tourism, and other civil purposes, as well as for aerospace exhibitions and airshows, and they know the special transportation requirements of each of them'.

Today Volga-Dnepr Group’s global team provides the helicopter industry with the technical and engineering air transport solutions the Group is known for, including technical and project concept consulting services. Loading and offloading of non-demountable large-scale units is one of the Group’s proven skills. The core components to make this happen are ‘natural resources’ being Volga-Dnepr’s personnel, the people behind the tools who have extended experience, knowledge, and skills to deliver any project, no matter how complex it may seem.

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Leipzig / Halle Airport strengthens position as a major humanitarian hub with recent Volga-Dnepr charter flights to Namibia

This week two Volga-Dnepr Group’s humanitarian flights took off from Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) to Windhoek in Namibia. Medical supplies, weighing over 95 tons, such as masks and respirators needed by this south African country heavily affected by the Corona pandemic were urgently delivered with An-124-100 flights.

In total, the German government's aid delivery consisted of more than 600 pallets or 1,200 cubic meters, which have been flown to southern Africa by Volga-Dnepr Airlines, one of the long-standing airport’s partners. The direct client is the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO). A new logistics centre also initiated by ECHO for civil protection is to be built in Leipzig within the framework of the RescEU programme. The German Red Cross (DRK) will set up a new logistics centre for disaster control in the area surrounding the airport as part of the RescEU programme.

Yulia Celetaria, Global Healthcare Director for Volga-Dnepr Group, highlights: ‘Not only do these flights demonstrate our commitment toward Humanitarian sector but also come as a logical step for further development of long-lasting strategic cooperation between LEJ and Volga-Dnepr Group. Earlier this year we have signed MoU which will ramp up our capabilities in setting up an Emergency Logistics/Humanitarian Hub in LEJ and humanitarian flights to Namibia, organized in cooperation with our customer Maersk, is one of the roadmap’s steps’.

All partners involved in the further development of the airport into a humanitarian hub have also exchanged ideas in the course of flights preparation, thus enabling smooth and fast handling for these and other aid flights.

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Volga-Dnepr Airlines completes large-scale delivery of two gigantic oil well rigs to the capital of Oman.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines, the acknowledged leader in providing outsized and super heavy transportation by air, recently played an essential part in the implementation of the large-scale Omani Oil and Gas project with a smooth and seamless delivery of two gigantic oil well rigs to the capital of Oman.

The complex delivery for two advanced automated well service rigs, weighing almost 120 tons, was accomplished in partnership with Pentagon Freight Services Canada Ltd., who engaged Volga-Dnepr for a timely and efficient logistics solution to meet the end-user’s stringent delivery time whilst overcoming many challenging aspects of loading and required detailed & complex computer modelling to ensure they were safely loaded for transportation. The 6-leg flight, lasting 5 days, was organized from Calgary (Canada) to Muscat (Oman) aboard one of Volga-Dnepr’s modernized An-124-150 which has an extended payload carrying up to 150 tons including loading equipment.

Sophisticated state of the art drilling equipment, which was produced and manufactured within record time by Highwood Equipment Technologies, was loaded onto the An-124-150 with the use of specialized ramp extensions. The advanced automated oil well rigs are to be used in partnership with Al Shawamikh Oil Services within the Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) assigned concession areas of Bahla and Adam in North Oman.

Volga-Dnepr transports its largest outsized piece onboard An-124-150

Volga-Dnepr Airlines, the leader in air transportations for outsized and super-heavy cargoes, has recently transported a large custom-built compressor from Zurich (Switzerland) to Abu Dhabi (UAE) on its Antonov 124-150 aircraft. The delivery was organized in partnership with GEODIS, the Group’s long-standing customer.

The project has been one-of-the kind as the single piece, measuring 15.65 x 4.40 x 3.85 m and weighing 100 tons, was one of the largest out-of-gauge shipments ever carried aboard An-124-150.

The preparation covered all the steps and details involving project teams from the Shipper, Consignee, Forwarder and Operator and ticking off key milestones, ending with a site visit to ensure all open points and modifications were executed. Each step was coordinated by Volga-Dnepr Operational Base in Dubai, with load planners and commercial team being always here to support and advise.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines operates three charter flights to India from China, Ireland and Germany

Volga-Dnepr Airlines, the leader in outsize and super-heavy air freight transportations, has operated three charter flights to India from China, Ireland and Germany carrying out an aid & relief mission to help the nation in its battle against severe COVID-19 resurgence.

Over 200 tonnes of vital medical equipment containing oxygen storing containers, concentrators and cryogenic containers were delivered onboard An-124-100 and Il-76TD-90VD to various parts of India, which is experiencing a shortage in oxygen equipment amid the emerging number of new COVID-19 cases. Upon arrival at the airports, the vital medical supplies were transported to the final destinations to be tested and checked for further use.

Ekaterina Andreeva, Commercial Director of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, highlights: ‘With the situation in India worsening we have started getting charter requests for transportation of ISO tanks. Together with a team of experts from various departments and powered by competence in dangerous goods transportations we were able to advise our customers on loading, packaging, and conditions of tanks. Working in tandem with our long-standing and reliable customers, Chapman Freeborn, Maersk Special Project Logistic team and Air Charter Service India Pvt Ltd, we organized charter flights within the shortest timeframes in line with biosafety requirements and completed another humanitarian mission’.

The airline which operates the fleet of ramp freighters is capable of transporting up to 12 x 20feet ISO tanks aboard An-124-100/150 and 3 x 20feet ISO tanks aboard Il076TD-90VD, with both planes being self-sufficient in terms of loading and offloading procedures. For over 30 years of operations, the company has completed numerous charter flights to India, thus being familiar with charter processing in different airports across the country.

Yulia Celetaria, Global Healthcare Director for Volga-Dnepr Group, comments: ‘We hope that our efforts and additional medical supplies will help India in meeting the oxygen crisis. Together with our Global Healthcare team and local managers, we are able to cater to the needs of our customers and supply the world when it needs us the most'.

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Volga-Dnepr supporting cargo operations to Antarctica for the 6th year running.

All the flights were operated from Cape Town (South Africa) to Novolazarevskaya runway (Novo) in close cooperation with the Antarctic Logistics Centre International (ALCI), covering a distance of over 4,200 km and delivering over 200 tons of general cargo essential for intact and uninterrupted work of the research stations.

With Volga-Dnepr’s expertise, experience, aligned procedures and capable fleet of five IL-76TD-90VD freighters, the company was able to accomplish landing and take-off on a glacial blue ice runway which supposes great skill and competence from the crew members.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines to set up emergency logistics / humanitarian hub.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim to set up an Emergency Logistics/Humanitarian Hub. The decision comes as a logical step for further development of long-lasting strategic cooperation between LEJ and Volga-Dnepr Group (the Group). Both parties agree to strengthen their unique services in the Humanitarian sector, shouldered by an expert combination of the ‘carrier-airport’ capabilities. While the Group is ready to ramp up Emergency Logistics Hub with its operational base in LEJ, 30+ years of experience and expertise in Humanitarian logistics, a diversified fleet of freighters including ramp ones which are self-sufficient for flight operations to remote or less equipped airports, LEJ is ready to offer its beneficial market-driven commercial conditions for export warehousing, long-term storage conditions for emergency cargo and terminal handling package to support the industry.

Voyager Announces the Lease Conversion of a Second 747-8F

Voyager Aviation Holdings,  announced this week that it has entered into an agreement with AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Group to convert the operating lease on one (1) of the Company’s 747-8F aircraft into a finance lease. The transaction is the second conversion of a 747-8F operating lease with AirBridgeCargo (part of Volga-Dnepr Group) to a finance lease.

“This second lease conversion, following the first transaction announced on December 14, 2020, is indicative of the continued strength of the cargo market and performance of AirBridgeCargo and Volga-Dnepr,” said Voyager’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Mike Lungariello. “Voyager is pleased to offer innovative financing solutions to our customers, and we will continue to do so in the future when opportunities present themselves.”

Volga-Dnepr Airlines returns AN-124-100 to service following recent crash.

Photo Volga-Dnepr Group

The heavy and odd-shaped cargo specialist freight carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines has confirmed the restart of flying operations of the Antonov An-124-100 commercial operations following a crash in November grounded the fleet.

The first plane ready after the completion of technical checks and execution of service directives to a full extent was RA-82077 completing a flight from Leipzig to Shanghai on 26th December.  

The airline suspended operations after the incident on the 13th of November 2020 which saw one of the fleet suffer an uncontained engine fan disk failure of series D-18T shortly after take-off. The failure resulted in engine failure and the loss of control systems. The bulk carrier was carrying 84 tons of cargo with full fuel tanks at the time of the incident. Despite suffering engine failure and loss of control elements, the crew still managed to avert a major disaster by making a 180-degree turn, land the aircraft, managing to keep the aircraft on the runway before skidding off the end of the runway.