cargo


super market


A DECADE OF GROWTH


long transit times. In the case of a major global event like the Olympic Games, no such delays were acceptable. We were able to step in and meet the increased demand for direct air cargo capacity to Sochi. Overall, Volga-Dnepr Group performed over 30 charter flights to Sochi using Boeing 747, Boeing 737, An-124-100, IL-76TD-90VD and An-12 freighters. This even included transporting the Olympic Flame onboard our legendary An-124-100 ‘Ruslan’ aircraft.


Another example of our ‘cargo supermarket’ capabilities was the delivery of transporters from the Netherlands to Khabarovsk last year. One of the main challenges for the Volga-Dnepr team was that the complete shipment could not travel on a single IL-76TD-90VD flight because of its size (8,7m long; 2,4 m wide; 1,5 m high) and weight (51 tons). In addition, the transporters couldn’t be moved without the special control station, making this critical to the loading and unloading procedures. So the best way to ensure this delivery was to use the IL-76TD-90VD flight to carry the transporters from Maastricht to Khabarovsk and to deliver the 5-ton control station onboard AirBridgeCargo Airlines’ Boeing 747 from Amsterdam to Khabarovsk. This ensured not only availability of the control station for loading/ unloading procedures but also significantly reduced the overall delivery costs for the customer.


‘W e plan to use Atran’ s


Boeing 737-400F capacity as our main tool to develop the Russian domestic market for both express and general cargo.’


INTERVIEW: Robert van de Weg,


Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales


What ar e the syner and Atran?


Atran Airlines constitutes an important part of Volga-Dnepr Group and the ‘cargo supermarket’ concept and gives our customers a wider choice of routes in Europe. We plan to use Atran’s Boeing 737- 400F capacity as our main tool to develop the Russian domestic market for both express and general cargo.


What ar you see f


e the main gr or ABC?


owth opportunities


At present ABC serves the largest cargo flows between Asia, Europe and the USA via Russia. However, there are clear opportunities to expand the network beyond this ‘classical’ route system. For example, linking China to North America and touching other large gateways in Asia. Also, we see opportunities to grow in the perishable/pharma cargo segments and in the express business.


What ar car


go carriers generall


e the biggest chall y?


enges f or all-


Overcapacity remains the largest issue. Right now, it is simply a matter of survival of the fittest and the overcapacity situation will drive the less efficient companies out of the market.


What ar e your strategic priorities f over the next 2-3 years?


We will further develop relations with our customers, expand the route network, and develop more airfreight services. This is all with the objective of becoming a more interesting partner to the market and, of course, delivering a return to our shareholders.


or ABC gies between ABC


What is your l – wher


years time?


We aim to be one of the top 10 key air cargo market players, respected and required by our customers.


Ar e you c et? onc erned by the lar ge amounts


of capacity being added onto major car r


go


outes – how is this going to impact the mark


Airlines have to optimise their operational efficiency to stay efficient. In order to satisfy ever-changing customer needs, they will have to cut costs and develop new products and we will be further concentrating our efforts in this respect.


With regards to ABC, despite the ongoing discussion of the overcapacity issue and the controversial future of all-cargo operations, we do see strong desire from our clients to see main-deck capacity available, especially featuring the 747’s main-deck contour and nose-loading capability.


COMMENT: Wolfgang Meier,


Group Vice President for Marketing & Development


ABC has developed from an idea into a well-known and established full-freighter airline which is operating to the highest industry standards when it comes to maintenance, safety and schedule integrity. Most impressive of all for it first 10 years is the airline’s ‘can do’ attitude demonstrated by its high degree of professionalism. For the next 10 years, ABC will be a very important pillar of the ‘Cargo Supermarket’ strategy pursued by the Group with a true global network and the most modern freighter fleet in the world.


ong-term ambition f


or ABC e does the airline want to be in 5


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