VOLGA-DNEPR TRANSPORTED FOUR MI-8 HELICOPTERS TO SIERRA LEONE UNDER CONTRACT WITH UTAIR AIRLINE

Russia (Moscow), October 11, 2004 – Volga–Dnepr Group has recently transported four Mi-8 helicopters to Africa on board an An-124-100 aircraft for UTair. UTair are replacing their rotor wing aircraft which are currently providing transportation services for the UN peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone.

Volga-Dnepr delivered the helicopters to Freetown (Sierra Leone) from Tyumen (Russia) with one stop-over in Bengasi, Libya. Volga-Dnepr also delivered four Mi-8 helicopters to Tyumen from Freetown for regular maintenance.

The Mi-8 helicopters made the most of the unique capabilities of the AN-124-100 fleet enabling the helicopters to be transported with their blades placed in lodgments but otherwise complete. The specialist loading/unloading equipment and skill of the Volga-Dnepr Group staff made this a time efficient way to transport the Mi-8s.

The dimensions of each helicopter within the 40 ton overall load were 13 meters in length and 4.3 meters in height.

Volga-Dnepr has been performed transportations for UTair since 1991.

Volga-Dnepr is an international group consisting of aviation, trucking and insurance businesses. Its offices are located in Russia, the USA, UK, China, Ireland and the UAE. The Group’s activity is aimed at promoting the AN-124-100 unique product in the global air cargo market.

Volga-Dnepr Group is the leader in the global heavyweight and outsized air cargo market, controlling 50.2% market share in 2003.

It operates a fleet of ten AN-124-100 freighters, two IL-76s, five YAK-40s and AirBridge Cargo have recently taken delivery of a second Boeing 747-200. Volga-Dnepr Group employs more than 1,500 people of 20 nationalities.

In recognition of its achievements, Volga-Dnepr Group has been awarded the prestigious ‘Best Corporate Strategy’ Award by the leading aviation business publication, Flight International.