VOLGA-DNEPR: READY TO RESPOND

Moscow, April 2, 2002. - A delegation from Volga-Dnepr Airlines led by its General Director, Alexey Isaikin, has taken part in an international conference on security, aid to natural disaster victims, reaction to large-scale emergencies and humanitarian aid.

The main topics of the conference held in Washington DC, is closely allied to many of Volga-Dnepr's operations. Since its formation 12 years ago, Volga-Dnepr Airlines has become an indispensable link of the logistics chain for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations of the United Nations, the Global Food Programme and national governmental organisations.

Volga-Dnepr's General Director Alexsey Isaikin made two key-note speeches ? broadcast on national TV ? "Global security requirements - international prospects" and "The plans for rebuilding Afghanistan".

Volga-Dnepr operations for humanitarian aid is constantly expanding, ? Alexey Isaikin noted in his address. Operating the largest fleet of Antonov An-124-100 Ruslans, Volga-Dnepr was one of the first civil airlines to operate into Afghanistan late last year.

Under contracts with the UN, GFP and foreign governments Volga-Dnepr's aircraft have made more than 120 flights in four months to Bagram airbase and Kabul airport and operations are continuing.

It is expected that Volga-Dnepr will participate also in the post-war rebuilding of Afghanistan's economy, in particular participation of the company's specialists in helping to rebuild Afghanistan's civil cargo aviation sector.

Alexey Isaikin also noted the strengthening of Volga-Dnepr's positions in the US and other Western countries - successful co-operation continues with such blue-chip companies as Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Ericsson, Embraer, General Electric, British Petroleum - Amoco and Bombardier.

Meetings were also held with the Russian Ambassador to the USA, H.E. Yuri Ushakov and the Russian trade representative Mikhail Barkov to discuss Volga-Dnepr's cooperation with USA. Negotiations on long-term cooperation were held with the representatives of the US Trade Department and the US State Department.

Currently 95% of Volga-Dnepr's operations are on the international market, executed outside Russia. According to the results of the first two months of 2002, Volga-Dnepr controls 56% of the global An-124-100 outsize air cargo market.