Russian freight specialist Volga-Dnepr Group has finalized with Boeing (BOE, Washington National), the terms for the acquisition of twenty B747-8(F)s, which include four aircraft that have already been delivered.

The newly-ordered aircraft will support Volga-Dnepr's long-term strategy to grow its AirBridgeCargo (RU, Ulyanovsk Vostochny) fleet and replace its existing fleet of B747-400(F)s. The new B747s will be acquired through a mix of direct purchases and leases over the next six years.

During the ceremony, Boeing also signed an agreement with the Group's subsidiaries, AirBridge Cargo and Volga-Dnepr Airlines (VI, Ulyanovsk Vostochny), to provide long-term logistics support for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and its partners using B747-8(F) and An-124 freighters.

Inclusive of CargoLogicAir (P3, London Stansted) and Atran (V8, Moscow Vnukovo), the Volga-Dnepr Group currently operates twelve An124-100s, five Il-76TD-90VDs, sixteen B747s (five B747-400ERFs, three B747-400(F)s, and eight B747-8(F)s) and three B737-400(F)s.