Dear All, please find herewith a press release from the Volga-Dnepr Group. Attached is a photograph to accompany this story.

NEW GENERATION IL-76TD-90VD FREIGHTER AWARDED

ICAO CHAPTER 4 NOISE CERTIFICATE  

Volga-Dnepr Group's first new-build IL-76TD-90VD freighter has been given clearance to operate globally after the aircraft type was awarded a Chapter 4 noise certificate by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The certificate confirms that the new generation, 50 tonnes capacity aircraft complies with the requirements of AP-36 Aviation Rules for level 4 aircraft and standards of ICAO annex 16, Chapter 4.

'Obtaining a noise certificate allows the IL-76TD-90VD to operate worldwide, including the major cargo transportation markets in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan without any limitations. From now on these aircraft correspond to all ICAO requirements and can be operated not only within Russia but also in other countries without any restrictions," said Andrei Pakhomov, General Director of Volga-Dnepr Leasing.

Volga-Dnepr Group has ordered two new IL-76TD-90VD freighters equipped with modern PS-90a-76 engines and new avionics. The first aircraft made its maiden test flight on August 5, 2005. The IL-76TD-90VD aircraft is continuing to undergo test flights in Zhukovsky and will commence commercial operations once all tests are carried out and all necessary documents are obtained.  

The IL-76 is a unique transport aircraft, one of the most successful and popular aircraft in international cargo aviation. Over 960 aircraft of this type have been produced. However, due to noise regulations implemented by ICAO in 2002, the operation of the IL-76TD in Western Europe, North America, Australia and Japan was prohibited.

Volga-Dnepr Group, together with S.V. Ilyushin Aviation complex, Tashkent V.P. Chkalov Aviation-Industrial Association (TAPOiCh) and the Perm engine works initiated a modernisation programme for the aircraft in order to improve its performance and to ensure its compliance to existing and prospective ICAO requirements.   

As part of its long-term strategy, in February 2004, Volga-Dnepr Group established a new company, Volga-Dnepr Leasing, to consolidate administrative and financial resources in order to manage and implement the  

IL-76 fleet modernisation project.

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Notes &endash; Volga-Dnepr Group:

Volga-Dnepr Group is the market leader in the global movement of heavyweight and outsized air cargo, controlling 54 per cent market share in 2004.

Among its permanent customers are such companies as Lockheed Martin, Exxon Mobil, Alcatel Aerospace and many other top global businesses that see Volga-Dnepr as an integral part of their logistic chains.

Volga-Dnepr has a fleet of ten AN-124-100s, three IL-76s and six YAK-40s. Its scheduled cargo airline business, AirBridge Cargo, also operates three Boeing 747Fs. Volga-Dnepr Group employs more than 1,600 people of 20 nationalities.

For additional information please contact:

Volga-Dnepr Group PR department

tel.: + 7 495 755-78-36,

                    755-91-32

fax: +7 495 755-68-51

e-mail: Dorofeeva@msk.vda.ru

JRPR

tel. +44 (0) 1753 621 666

fax +44 (0) 1753 621 888

e-mail: jamie@jamierochepr.co.uk

           harriet@jamierochepr.co.uk