OREANDA-NEWS. At 2013 Air Cargo Europe Conference and Exhibition (Munich, June 4-7) Volga-Dnepr Airlines reached an agreement with Paris-Vatry Airport to base its new IL-76TD-90VD freighter aircraft at the airport to meet growing demand for quiet and environment-friendly air charter operations.

With immediate effect, Volga-Dnepr will base up to three aircraft from its IL-76TD-90VD fleet at the airport to the east of Paris.

Volga-Dnepr has invested over USD 100 million in a fleet of five new generation IL-76TD-90VD cargo aircraft. With increased payload and range, greater fuel and operating efficiencies and lower noise and emissions than old versions of the IL-76, Volga-Dnepr’s aircraft are approved for global services by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) having complied with all of ICAO’s current and prospective operating standards. This enables Volga-Dnepr’s fleet to service major markets around the world which banned old versions of the IL-76 in 2000, including Europe, North America, Japan and Australia.

Youri Busaan, Director General of Aeroport Paris-Vatry says Volga-Dnepr’s commitment is a major breakthrough that will help to safeguard and enhance the airport’s long-term position as a leading air cargo charter airport in Europe. He said: “Together with Volga-Dnepr, we will now be able to provide a solution that will significantly enhance our position in the logistics market. Over 90% of our cargo business is from charter operations because Vatry has a great cargo infrastructure that is available 24 hours a day. Now we also have a great charter aircraft available at the airport that is unrestricted for global operations. Positioning the new IL-76TD-90VD at Vatry will give us an even more prominent position.”

Dmitry Grishin, Sales Director at Volga-Dnepr Airlines, added: “Vatry has an excellent central location that is within easy reach of customers across Europe. By committing to a visible presence at Vatry Airport, we can help deliver cost benefits for our customers. The operating efficiency of the IL-76TD-90VD means it can compete strongly with the old IL-76 and, importantly, the aircraft meets all environmental standards. We know customers recognise the value of moving cargo through Vatry because the airport has proven knowledge and expertise in supporting charter services and outsize and heavyweight air cargo flights and we are confident that basing aircraft at the airport and providing availability to customers will result in even more growth opportunities.”

Volga-Dnepr says the move will further enhance the capability of its Engineering Logistics Centre, which provides door-to-door solutions for complex outsize and heavyweight air cargo loads.