US$90 million spent as Volga-Dnepr orders more IL-76TD-90VDs

A third new-generation IL-76TD-90VD freighter will join Volga-Dnepr Airlines commercial fleet in April, taking the group's overall investment in the modernised aircraft to over US$90 million.

Volga-Dnepr predicts that its purchases of the 50-tonne-capacity, ramp-loading freighters are likely to double as more new aircraft join its fleet to meet global demand for the plane's unique operating capability. The company has already signed for another two aircraft to be delivered next year.

Unlike older IL-76s, now banned in Europe as too noisy and polluting, the new IL-76TD-90VD was approved for global operations in 2006. It now operates to major markets in Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia.

The aircraft boasts of a seven to nine per cent better fuel-burning efficiency than the old IL-76s, as well as an operating range increase of 10,200 kilometres. New avionics on Volga-Dnepr's version of the aircraft also enable a reduction navigation costs through the use of automated systems. The number of operating crew required have also been reduced to four.

Commercial charters director Dennis Gliznoutsa said that the addition of another IL-76TD-90VD would come as great news for the airlines clients. "It has proven to be a highly cost efficient cargo aircraft that is extremely popular with customers," he said. "The IL-76TD-90VD can operate a direct flight from Europe to Kabul, and it was also the only aircraft capable of delivering urgently-needed relief supplies from the US and Canada to Haiti after the recent earthquake."

(Source: www.schednet.com)