Volga-Dnepr signs up to join the IL-76 Salvation Campaign

Zhukovsky (Russia), August 17, 2001 - The World's largest oversize cargo operator, JSC "Volga-Dnepr Airlines", PC "Permskie Motory" (Perm Engines) and PC "Aviadvigatel" (Aero engines) signed the Agreement of Intention on reengining of the Il-76 freighters with the PS-90A-76 turbofan engines. The signing took place in Zhukovsky during the Moscow Air Show (MAKS-2001).

According to the Agreement, the first IL-76 of Volga-Dnepr will be reengined with the PS-90A-76 turbofan engines, which conform the ICAO noise and emission requirements. "Signing of this agreement is the first practical step of the Russian Air Cargo Community in the framework of the IL-76 Freighter Salvation Campaign", said Alexei Isaikin, Director General of Volga-Dnepr Airlines. More new stringent ICAO noise and emission requirement to be introduced and put into effect in April 2001 will put under a ban IL-76 operations in Europe. Air Cargo News actively supported by Volga-Dnepr launched the campaign at the beginning of 2001.

IL-76 is a unique aircraft, featuring the integral rear cargo ramp, which makes special loading and ground equipment unnecessary. These unique features make IL-76 play the key role in the world humanitarian programs, including relief aid operations to natural disaster areas and the UN relief aid operations to the third world countries. Ninety percent (90%) of all emergency air cargo operations fall to the share of IL-76 freighters, most of the similar Western types being short of these capabilities. According to Yuri Reshetnikov, Director General of Permskie Motory (Perm Engine Production Plant), the retrofitted IL-76 aircraft will extend the type operation for at least another 15 years.

At present, PC "Aviadvigatel" (Aero engine) is finalizing the PS-90A-76 certification with would be financial support of Volga-Dnepr. For its part, PC "Permsky Motorny Zavod" (Perm Engine Production Plant) will do its best to deliver five (5) PS-90A-76 engines at the price floor with the purpose of minimizing of the delivery term and the work costs of putting timely the first reengined IL-76 into operation. Additionally, PC "Perm Engine Production Plant" will provide all relevant information on the PS-90A-76 performance and after sale infield support data.

According to the Agreement, PC "Aviadvigatel" (Aero engine) and PC "Permsky Motorny Zavod" (Perm Engine Production Plant) will provide for technical and engineering support of the engines during their flight tests and their operation in revenue service on the wing as well as conduct work to increase reliability, cost efficiency and life time of the PS-90A-76 engines in the course of the overall operating period.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines, established in 1990 in Ulyanovsk, is the leader at the market of super heavy and oversize cargo operations with its current fleet of nine AN-124-100 "Ruslan" and two IL-76TD aircraft. Today, the world IL-76 fleet amounts to approximately 200 aircraft in revenue service of Russian and foreign operators.

For further information, please contact:

PR Department

Volga-Dnepr Airlines

Phone: +7 095 245-57-93

Fax: +7 095 244-28-79

E-mail: Leon@msk.vda.ru