Volga-Dnepr Group has taken delivery of its 10^th Boeing 747-8F, which is to be operated by AirBridgeCargo.

ABC used the new 747 to launch its twice-weekly services from Seattle to Moscow via Chicago and Europe.

“The addition of Seattle to AirBridgeCargo’s growing international network and the delivery of our latest -8 freighter is not only strategically important to the development of ABC, it also allows our group to fulfill its obligations under the long-term logistics support programme agreement with Boeing and its partners for the transportation of aerospace cargoes,” said Alexey Isaykin, president of Volga-Dnepr Group. “For Volga-Dnepr Group, we are confident our fleet of An-124 and 747 freighters will enable us to successfully compete and fulfill our commitments to our customers.”

The aircraft, registered VP-BBL, is ABC’s ninth 747-8F and was flown from the Boeing factory in Everett to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where the carrier celebrated the launch with Boeing and the Port of Seattle.

“Seeing an airplane made in Washington by skilled Washington workers fresh off the assembly line is always a thrill, and the Port of Seattle is proud to play a key role in the strong relationship AirBridgeCargo has with so many of our Pacific Northwest business partners,” said John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commissioner. “AirBridge will expand Sea-Tac’s global reach with new direct freighter service to Moscow and Amsterdam. This service will be a boost to our regional economy as these new export options are now easily accessible.”

Hendrik Falk, vice president of North and South America at ABC, said that the new flight is expected to be in high demand among customers in industries such as aerospace, machinery, food and seafood.

The new delivery represented the fifth 747-8F in the order for 20 which was signed between Volga-Dnepr and Boeing in July 2016.

“We are confident that the 10^th Boeing 747-8F delivered to Volga-Dnepr Group will help the company to implement its ambitious plans in the global cargo transportation market,” said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Russia, Central Asia and Middle East sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “In return, the Boeing Company intends to support and maintain this strategic partnership, which combines the strengths of our companies and our unique experience of developing joint solutions in the interests of aerospace industry customers. For us, Volga-Dnepr Group is not just a customer, it is a reliable partner with a proven track record demonstrated over our many years of cooperation.”

One of Volga-Dnepr’s 747-8Fs is operated by UK subsidiary CargoLogicAir, which took delivery of the aircraft in July 2016.