IL-76 Modernization Program
IL-76, a heavy ramp freighter, has been one of the most efficient and demanded aircraft for over twenty years for both Russian and many foreign air cargo carriers. The ability of this aircraft to operate in airports with undeveloped or underdeveloped infrastructure allows both to meet the needs of entire regions in terms of air cargo transportation, and significantly expands the customer base of cargo aviation by attracting those shippers who would normally use other ways of transportation.
Beginning 2000 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) introduced a number of strict restrictions to operations of the aircraft empowered with the outdated equipment into European and North American countries, including Australia and Japan. Therefore numerous Russian-manufactured aircraft equipped with the engines which do not meet the new international noise and emission standards were denied the right to operate into the world largest airports. For a number of years IL-76s were used for cargo services within Russia mostly. Introduction of the new ICAO requirements resulted in the loss of the European and North American market in 2003 in amount of $110 mln. which may rise by 2015 up to $450 mln.
Volga-Dnepr Group has been involved in the IL-76TD upgrading program since 2002, which includes outfitting the aircraft with PS-90A-76 engines and modern avionics. To consolidate the organizational and financial resources for execution of the IL-76 upgrade program in 2004 Volga-Dnepr group established the Volga-Dnepr-Leasing subsidiary.
The first IL-76TD aircraft meeting all the ICAO requirements and restrictions was built by the Chkalov Aviation Production Company TAPOiCh in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2005 under the Volga-Dnepr order. In 2006 the aircraft was introduced into the airline’s commercial operation, and in 2007 another aircraft of the type joined the Volga-Dnepr fleet. To the present day IL-76TD-90VD has been already to all the countries that were prohibited for IL-76 operation. In addition to that, the airline managed to overcome the ICAO requirements, i.e.: when the program laid down the ICAO Chapter 4 compliance within the third aircraft upgrading phase, as a matter of fact already the first aircraft in operation turned out to meet all the current and future ICAO requirements through at least 2015.
IL-76TD-90VD operation shows big demand for this aircraft and its promising utilization. In 2007 the IL-76 traffic volume grew by 46% as compared to 2006 and by 60% as in 2005 thus making $140 mln.; the two new aircraft performed 137 flights and carried over 2000 tons of cargo. Within three quarters of 2008 the IL-76TD-90VD traffic volume grew by 78% as compared to 2007.
IL-76TD-90VD has no direct competitors among the commercial ramp freighters with capacity over 50 tons. By the aviation experts’ estimation the aircraft will retain its leading position up to at least 2020. The transportation cost of one-ton cargo on board the IL-76TD-90VD is twice as cheep as that on Hercules which is the only immediate foreign-made rival of IL-76TD.
TAPOiCh is currently manufacturing the third IL-76TD-90VD. The market research showed future demand for 15-20 aircraft of this type by 2015. The Volga-Dnepr Group of Companies intends to meet the growing demand within its long-term strategy. Owing to cooperation with the United Aircraft Corporation and Ilyushin Interstate Aircraft Manufacturing Company the IL-76TD-90VD fleet will include five aircraft by 2010, and in a longer term – 15 aircraft.
Brief History of the Project
2001 The Russian air companies are actively discussing the IL-76 re-motorizing idea. Joint meetings by the Russian Air and Space Committee, Russian Civil Aviation National Service, Association of Cargo Air Carriers are being held. Nobody is willing to assume responsibility for the project implementation.
2002 Volga-Dnepr took up the role of the Project leader. As a first step on the way to its implementation, Volga-Dnepr and Perm Motor Plant signed a deal to buy a set of engines for the first aircraft during Farnborough-2002.
2003 Volga-Dnepr signs a contract to issue the design documents for the new type of aircraft, and receives the title to the design documents for IL-76TD-90VOLGA-DNEPR from OAO IL. In November, Volga-Dnepr and TAPOiCh signed a contract to manufacture the first two IL-76TD-90VDs .
February, 2004 To ensure success of the IL-76 upgrade program implementation called “national” by the Russian Air and Space Committee, the airline established the Volga-Dnepr-Leasing subsidiary. The first tranche was transferred for the manufacture of the first two modernized IL-76TD-90VD ordered to the Aircraft Production Enterprise in Tashkent by Volga-Dnepr Airlines.
August, 2005 IL-76TD-90VD makes its first flight. The aircraft has been introduced at the MAKS-2005 air show followed by some special ground and air test flights of the aircraft type.
January, 2006 IL-76TD-90VD receives a certificate of type local noise in accordance with the requirements in the ICAO Chapter 4 Annex 16.
May, 2006 The acceptance flight of the first modernized IL-76TD-90VD was performed successfully in Ulyanovsk. The aircraft arrived in Ulyanovsk on May 6 from Tashkent where the ceremony was held with participation of Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, First Vice President.
June, 2006 The first modernized IL-76TD-90VD performed its first commercial flight en-route Kuwait – Bombay (India) – Utapao (India) – Taipei (Taiwan) – Sendai (Japan). Introduction into commercial operation of IL-76TD-90VD accomplished a three-year work of the aircraft modernization and manufacture.
February, 2007 IL-76TD-90VD performs flights from the United States under the charter contract for the first time ever since 2000.
August, 2007 Within MAKS-2007 Volga-Dnepr signed a firm contract with Ilyushin Interstate Aircraft Manufacturing Company, a business unit of the United Aircraft Corporation, for the production and delivery of three IL-76TD-90VDs. This order was the first firm contract for freighters executed by the United Aircraft Corporation.
September, 2007 A ceremonial transfer of the second upgraded IL-76TD-90VD to Volga-Dnepr Airlines took place.
