Volga-Dnepr Group, an international group of air cargo services, enters the second half of 2020 demonstrating stability and consistency. Total revenue across the three carriers of the Group – Volga-Dnepr Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines and ATRAN Airlines, was more than 40% up which was achieved thanks to a quick response to market situations, the adaptation of a strategy towards a new reality and interim changes of the carriers’ business models with a focus on charter programs.
Amid an over 18% and 19% drop in the overall market tonnage and FTK (freight tonne-kilometers), respectively, the group managed to hold on to a 5% and 10% decrease. FTK has shown a slight decline given that most of the flights were operated as charters and transported low-density PPE. For the first six months of 2020, the groups’ share in FTK demonstrated a 5% increase YOY.
The Group has also increased its tonnage across certain industries, mostly concentrating on COVID-19-related cargo transportations. Within the January-June period Volga-Dnepr’s freighters delivered over 25,000 tons of PPE, medical beds and mattresses, artificial lung ventilation apparatuses, as well as oversized and heavy sterilization vehicles. With biosafety of services being of paramount importance, the Group has additionally invested in disinfection of the fleet and cargo onboard. The antivirus action plan and introduction of new regulations together with a new working schedule have enabled it to meet the current challenges, whereas allocated budget has guaranteed provisions of PPE and regular COVID-19 testing for operations staff, including cockpit personnel.
