Russian express carrier Atran Airlines – part of the Volga-Dnepr Group – has enlarged its fleet with the delivery of its first Boeing 737-800BCF – increasing its total number of freighters to five. Having successfully completed certification of the Boeing 737-800BCF in Russia, the airline will be the first to operate this type of freighter, enabling Atran’s customers to benefit from its enhanced operational capabilities and more solutions for cargo deliveries.
The additional aircraft will boost the carrier’s capacity and guarantee a wider choice of logistics solutions for its customers linking routes between Russia, the CIS and Europe. The freighter has already operated its first flights from Moscow (Vnukovo) to Norilsk and Yakutsk carrying consumer goods for the population of the Siberian and Far Eastern parts of Russia, including perishables, general cargo and e-commerce shipments.
Atran Airlines general director, Dmitry Obsharov said: “We are delighted to have this new type of aircraft in our fleet. As the upgraded version of the Boeing 737, the airplane has more technical and operational capabilities. “This allows us to offer more maindeck cargo capacity thanks to the aircraft’s extended fuselage, which is 6 metres longer and broader, increasing the solutions we can offer for the transportation of various types of shipments, including oversized freight which can be loaded through the wider maindeck cargo door.
“We are confident that this new aircraft type we will be able to guarantee high-service quality for our customers, leveraging trade flows in the markets we serve, with a special focus on China-Russia routes and the emerging volumes of cross-border e-commerce and mail shipments. It will also help to increase aircraft utilisation within our existing network.”
In addition to accommodating 11 standard aviation pallets (2235×3175 mm) and containers in the cargo compartment, the Boeing 737-800BCF incorporates a reconfigurable cargo handling system which can be easily adjusted for various types of ULDs. Its advanced technical characteristics, together with ICAO Stage 4 noise certification, make it an ideal aircraft for European short and medium-haul cargo operations, enabling easy and seamless deliveries of express and mail consignments.
The Boeing 737-800BCF is a newcomer to Volga-Dnepr Group and complements its existing fleet of An-124-100, Il-76TD-90VD, Boeing 747F and Boeing 737-400F, therefore expanding the Group’s airfreight solutions.
