Volga-Dnepr said it held a meeting with Airbus’s top management on July 22 — its delegation headed by its chairman of the board Aleksey Ivanovich Isaikin — which was held during the MAKS 2021 International Aviation and Space Salon.  

The Russian cargo carrier said during the meeting Alexey Ivanovich was acquainted with Wouter Van Wesche, executive president in the European Region, Airbus, who hosted the delegates on board Airbus’s A350-1000.

"The meeting allowed for an understanding of the technological advantages of the aircraft, and provided a forum for discussion on the launch program for A350 freighter conversions, as a wide-body cargo aircraft solution," Volga-Dnepr said.

It also cited how the A350 is distinguished by a number of innovative technologies, including a wing design that helps the aircraft to automatically adapt to certain flight phases, which allows for improved aerodynamics and fuel economics.

The airline noted that the fuselage of the aircraft is also made of carbon fibre, which, together with the technological design of the aircraft can reduce fuel consumption by 25% compared to other aircraft in the same category.

"A significant advantage of a A350 freighter will also be in compliance with the new requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on noise and emissions, which will come into force in 2028," Volga-Dnepr said.