The new aircraft takes to four the total number of extended range Boeing 747-400s in the ABC fleet. It also operates one Boeing 747-300 and two B747-200 cargo aircraft.

The additional aircraft will enable ABC to follow its strategy of fleet and network expansion with further development and improvement of hub operations at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo international airport and the provision of further improved services for its customers.

In the first 10 months of 2009, ABC transported 124,835 tonnes of cargo, a 14% increase over the same period of 2008.

Tatyana Arslanova, ABC’s Executive Senior Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Sales, said: “The fact we have taken this additional airplane reflects ABC’s commitment to its consistent strategy which includes unification and modernization of its fleet, development of our route network and building of long-term relationships with our customers.

“The continued realization of our plan has enabled AirBridgeCargo to achieve growth and increase the company’s performance, even in such challenging economic circumstances as the industry has experienced in 2009.”