As reported by the web resource ATO.ru in [...] Maxim Pyadushkin's article, "AirBridgeCargo Airline will return to the sky on IL-96 aircraft. The carrier can receive two cargo IL-96-400T, previously flown by its bankrupt competitor - the airline "Flight", once the largest Russian cargo airline AirBridgeCargo plans to resume operations this summer on Il-96 cargo planes. The carrier stopped flights in March 2022 after the introduction of Western sanctions against Russian civil aviation.
IL-96-400T cargo aircraft (registration number RA-96103, factory number 97693201003, serial number 103) undergoing repair after long-term storage at the branch of PJSC Il - VASO in Voronezh for subsequent transfer to the Russian airline AirBridgeCargo, March 2023. The aircraft was built in 2009, in 2010-2013 it was operated by the airline "Flight", since June 2013 it has been in storage at the VASO (c) Telegram channel "Aviation Mezzanine"AirBridgeCargo announced on March 29, 2023, that it was negotiating with Ilyushin Finance, a member of the UAC, on leasing two Il-96-400T cargo aircraft.
These aircraft were previously operated by the airline "Flight" and after the latter left the market since 2014 were stored at the subsidiary of UAC VASO in Voronezh.
The press service of the UAC confirmed the plans that the details of the agreement are at the stage of approval.
AirBridgeCargo expects that after the completion of the restoration of airworthiness, the first aircraft (with the number RA-96103) will enter the airline's fleet in June 2023, the second (RA-96101) - in early 2024. The first aircraft was recently spotted on VASO already painted in the colors of the customer. However, it still lacks engines, vertical tail and wingtips.
The carrier has scheduled the first IL-96-400T flight for June 2023 on the Moscow-Beijing route. Subsequently, it will be carried out on a regular basis to ensure uninterrupted air traffic between Russia and China, the airline said.
This is the second attempt by AirBridgeCargo to purchase cargo IL-96. In 2005, the airline signed a similar contract for two Il-96-400T with Ilyushin Finance, with delivery a year later, but it was not implemented.
The IL-96-400T is a 9.35 m long version of the basic Il-96-300 aircraft; it is also equipped with four more powerful PS-90A1 engines. AirBridgeCargo noted: the choice in favor of this type was made because, in terms of its operational characteristics, it is close to the Boeing 747 cargo, which the airline previously flew, and is capable of transporting a similar range of cargo.
However, the IL-96-400T is inferior to the American aircraft both in take-off weight - 270 tons versus 396 tons for the Boeing 747-400F and 447 tons for the most modern modification of the 747-8F - and payload. The Russian aircraft can carry up to 57 tons of cargo, while the Boeing 747-400F - almost 113 tons, and the B-747-8F - 137 tons. In addition, unlike the American aircraft, the IL-96-400T does not have a nose cargo door, which accelerates unloading.
UAC at one time produced only four Il-96-400T, which were intended for "Flight". Two of them were later converted into special-purpose aircraft by order of law enforcement agencies.
Restarting air transportation with the IL-96 will help AirBridgeCargo retain the operator's certificate, but will not allow even close to restoring the previous business volumes. Previously, the carrier operated 17 trucks of the Boeing 747 family and one cargo B-777. In February 2022, it accounted for more than 40% of all cargo transported by Russian civil aviation. After the Bermuda aviation authorities revoked the airworthiness certificates of all AirBridgeCargo aircraft in March 2022, the latter did not transfer them to the Russian registry. Last summer, the airline made an attempt to sell its business along with the aircraft of the Emirati cargo airline Etihad Cargo, but the deal did not take place, including due to the fact that the owner of AirBridgeCargo Alexey Isaikin was under British sanctions.
AirBridgeCargo stated that they are ready to further expand the order to 10 aircraft, "and this will help to remove Russia's dependence on Western manufacturers Boeing and Airbus in cargo aviation." It is not entirely clear when the UAC will be able to fulfill such an order - the state program for the development of the air transport industry provides that by 2030 the corporation should produce only 12 passenger Il-96-300.
