Currently about 70 per cent of Moscow-based Atlant-Soyuz’s annual turnover of US$240 million stems from the passenger business, something theairline is aiming to change.

“We intend to lift the cargo business rapidly and balance our revenue in the years to come with about 50 percent being contributed by the passenger and the other 50 per cent from the freight business,” said Alexey Malyarevich, head of cargo at Atlant-Soyuz. The fi rst of the new fi ve-order Ilyushin 96-400T freighters will be deployed on routes between China and Germany with The new Ilyushin 96-400T on display at the latest Moscow Air Show. technical stops at the airline’s home base at Moscow Vnokovo airport.

“Due to the act that we commence our operation in the middle of this year’s peak season we will offer three fl ights per week, but cut them down to two in February next year when the tonnage is shrinking again,” added Mr Malyarevich.

“The capacity offered by Atlant- Soyuz is a fi ne opportunity for the German market, be it imports or exports,” stated Stephan Blank general manager of EasternAirCargo, the carrier’s GSSA in Leipzig, Germany.