VOLGA-DNEPR GROUP KEEPS ON THE IL-76 MODERNISATION

Moscow, May 2004, - The IL-76 is highly respected as one of the most capable aircraft to ever be operated by both Russian and foreign cargo carriers.

Its success is based on the unique services provided by IL-76 operators as well as its economic efficiency. Not requiring any additional airport loading equipment, the self-sufficient IL-76 is able to operate to and from airports with poor infrastructure in markets such as the CIS, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The presence of this inexpensive aircraft in the market is not only vital to support the needs of these regions for airlift it has also provided a unique solution to a wide range of airfreight customers that would previously have used other forms of transportation.

The IL-76 offers unique aircraft performance characteristics and occupies the niche of large aircraft capable of carrying payloads of up to 40 tonnes of cargo, including outsize loads.

The aircraft has no serious competitors and accounts for more than 60% percent of all Russia’s airfreight revenues. It is therefore important to preserve the niche market for IL-76s, hence the commitment to complete a complex modernization programme to prolong its life cycle. This will see the aircraft’s performance characteristics comply with the strict requirements of international aviation authorities.

If realized, the IL-76 modernisation programme will become an important factor of Russia’s economic safety and means that the aircraft will be saved as one of Russia’s most successful technical achievements.

In these circumstances, Volga-Dnepr Group, Russia’s leading air cargo carrier, is taking decisive steps to modernise the IL-76TD freighter by re-engining the jet with PS-90A-76 engines and equipping it with upgraded avionics.

Volga-Dnepr Group plans to implement the modernisation project in two key directions: by both building new aircraft of the type at TAPO and upgrading the existing fleet at one of Russia’s aviation plants.

The programme forecasts the modernization and production of 40-60 aircraft within the next five years.

As a result of the project, the IL-76TD-90VD, a new upgraded version of the ageing IL-76, will meet all the ICAO regulatory requirements.

As a part of Volga-Dnepr Group’s long-term development strategy, in February 2004 Volga-Dnepr-Leasing, a leasing company, was established. The main task of the new company is the consolidation of management and financial resources aimed at successfully implementing the IL-76 modernisation programme and managing this large-scale project.

The first of the two aircraft ordered by Volga-Dnepr is currently being finished at Tashkent’s TAPO aviation production plant, named after Tchkalov.
Notes:

Currently the global IL-76 commercial fleet numbers approximately 200 aircraft, operated by both Russian and foreign carriers. The IL-76 plays a key role part in humanitarian operations all over the world, including operations in areas of natural disasters and UN missions to Third World countries.