Humanitarian aid contracts lift Volga Dnepr 9 month figures

Published: 11/3/1999

Volga-Dnepr (VD) has reported a 19% increase in sales over the first nine months of 1999, giving it over 50% of the world's bulky transportation market according to the company. VD attributes the increase in market demand in part to humanitarian relief operations in the Balkans and Pacific Rim. It predicts that the volume of orders for the transportation of bulky cargoes in 1999 will be between $180m and $190m: some 10-11% higher than in 1998.The airline's nine month results endorse the recovery suggested in its eight month figures (www.concise.org 8th October 1999). VD competes with Antonov Airlines, which operates six An-124s and two An-22s, compared with VD's fleet of nine An-124-100s. At the end of September 1999, VD and the Antonov design bureau agreed terms on the lifetime extension and upgrade of the An-124-100 involving the installation of Orlan-85ST FM radios with 8.33 kHz channel spacing, more accurate satellite navigation systems and low-height warning units. Talks are in progress with Ukrainian producer ZKMB Progress on the further improvement of the Progress/Inchenko D-18T engines, including noise reduction and longer on-wing life, which is currently very short by comparison with western types and has led to a number of re-engining rumours. Noise reduction is a major priority for operators and a hush kit was certified to meet ICAO Chapter 3 during 1997.

Article ID: 1037