VOLGA-DNEPR DELIVERED 690 TONNES OF YOUNG WINE FOR JAPAN’S “BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU” FESTIVAL

Moscow (Russia), November, 15th 2004 – Volga-Dnepr group delivered 690 tonnes of young “Beaujolais” wine from France to Japan in time for the “Beaujolais Nouveau” festival using six AN-124-100 aircraft, utilising the unique capabilities of more than half of Volga-Dnepr’s AN 124-100 “Ruslan” fleet .

The Beaujolais transportation contract started on November 12th with five flights, two originating from Lyon (France) and three flights from Châteauroux (France) to Japan. On November 13th the contract ended with the final flight from Vatry (France). Each aircraft delivered approximately 115 tonnes of wine to Japan, roughly the equivalent of 100 000 bottles per flight.

Vladimir Davidov, General Director of Volga-Dnepr Airline said, “Volga-Dnepr airlines delivered to Japan 690 tonnes of unique cargo, needing very delicate and careful handling during transportation, utilising six AN-124-100 aircraft for this very time sensitive charter. We proved once more, one of the advantages of our airline - the ability to consolidate at speed our transportation facilities in every point of the world for producing urgent and large transportations. It is great to know that we managed to accomplish this transportation with professionalism, time efficiency and quality that we are famous for.”

2004 has been the tenth year that Volga-Dnepr has delivered the famous Beaujolais wine to the country of the rising sun (Japan). This year differs from previous years as Volga-Dnepr Airlines were the only AN124-100 carrier to operate this contract.

The festival of “Beaujolais Nouveau” was first celebrated more than half a century ago. In November 1951 French wine makers got the permission for early selling of wine. Since that time every year during the Wednesday night of the third week of November, when the selling of young Beaujolais wine starts, the festival “Beaujolais Nouveau” takes place.

In 2004 the festival will take place for the 53rd time and will be celebrated in more then 150 countries across the world. The major celebration will take place at motherland of “Beaujolais Nouveau” – in Lyon, France and the surrounding area. Japan along with Germany and the USA are the major importers of “Beaujolais Nouveau” wine: these three countries take 63% of world export of this wine.