Stan Wraight joined the managing team of Volga-Dnepr Group in June 2003 to set up and launch Russia’s first scheduled cargo airline, operating a fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft between major trading points in Europe and Asia via Russia. He was recruited by the Group for his expertise in the scheduled airline cargo sector and experience in international aviation. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Wraight previously held senior executive posts with Atlas Air and KLM Cargo in North America, Asia and Europe.

In May 2004, AirBridgeCargo was successfully launched by the Volga-Dnepr Group and now operates Boeing 747-200F services from Frankfurt and Luxembourg to Moscow (Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo) and to its new hub in Eastern Russia in Krasnoyarsk. Beijing, (twice weekly) and Shanghai (six times weekly) are served in China.

Air services from China to Europe operate via our newly-established hub in Krasnoyarsk.

AirBridge Cargo forms a core part of Volga-Dnepr Group’s corporate development strategy. In his new role as Vice-President, Stan Wraight will continue to be responsible for the long-term future of the airline and its network and fleet expansion, in addition to seeking synergy between the two core businesses of the group.

Denis Ilyin, formerly Director of Operations for Volga-Dnepr Airlines, has been promoted to the post of Managing Director of ABC with responsibility for the day-to-day management of the airline, sales, production and finance. In this position he will report directly to Stan Wraight.