Volga-Dnepr Group and CargoLogicHolding have signed a package of freighter agreements with Boeing at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The deals include a letter of intent to acquire 29 777Fs, confirmation of an order for five 747-8Fs, the purchase of a crew-pairing solution and an agreement to work together on future freighter projects.

“This is a very significant day in our company’s history,” said Alexey Isaykin [front right in photo], president of Volga-Dnepr Group and chairman of CargoLogicHolding. “With this package of agreements, we will grow our business with the unique and unmatched 747-8 Freighter and open new market opportunities with the 777 Freighter, the world’s longest-range twin-engine cargo jet. And we will work with Boeing to develop new freighter solutions that will help us continue to serve the unique and fast-changing requirements of our global customers.”

Volga-Dnepr is one of the largest 747F operators and has taken advantage of the jet’s cargo-loading and cargo-carrying capabilities to build a global network for transporting unique, oversize and heavy cargo. The confirmation concerns five aircraft that are part of an earlier commitment to acquire 20 747-8Fs, the terms of which were finalized at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2016.

“We are true believers in the 747-8 Freighter; it is a very special airplane,” said Isaykin. “We fly it every day and we understand why operators around the world want more of them.”

The package of agreements also includes a commitment for both companies to explore other freighter solutions, such as new production 767 Freighters or converted cargo jets like the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter.

“CargoLogicAir, part of CargoLogicHolding, started its business by flying 747 scheduled and charter flights to and from the UK,” Isaykin said. “We are excited to extend the network using a range of Boeing family aircraft including Boeing 747-8F, 777F, 767F and 737-800BCF.”

Boeing has now received more than 100 orders and commitments for production and converted freighters so far this year.

“We are extremely honoured that Volga-Dnepr Group and CargoLogicHolding have once again placed their trust on Boeing’s freighter family to carry their business into the future,” said Kevin McAllister [front left in photo], president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to expanding our relationship with our great partners and delivering new freighters to them for many years to come.”

As part of the agreements, Boeing Global Services will provide AirBridgeCargo with a crew-pairing solution to support the planning and operation of the airline’s 300 crew members. The programme creates optimized work duties, improving crew efficiency and improving airline productivity.

“This service puts the most advanced data analytics capabilities at Volga-Dnepr’s hands as they operate the most advanced freighters in the world,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing at The Boeing Company. “It’s a prime example of how Boeing integrates services solutions with the platform to help customers work better, work faster and save on operating costs.”

CargoLogicHolding Limited is the private holding company of CargoLogicAir, based in the UK. CargoLogicAir is currently the only British all-cargo airline and launched commercial operations in 2016.

The 747-8F programme, which has a production rate of 0.5 aircraft per month, had 23 unfilled orders at the end of June 2018, according to Boeing.