June 20 - Volga-Dnepr Airlines utilised a special aircraft ramp to load a 24 m long drilling rig onto its AN-124-100 freighter in Novy Urengoy, Russia

The freighter was destined for Mirny for client Krasnodar Drilling, a branch of the Gazprom Drilling Company. The specialised drilling rig will be used at the Verkhnechonskoe oil and gas condensate field.

The ramp extension reduced the ramp slope that enabled loading and unloading of the long single piece of cargo. The drilling rig was then pulled into the cargo hold by a tractor.

Volga-Dnepr also obtained special permission to operate from Novy Urengoy and Mirny airports and arranged the necessary terminal services.

"The Volga-Dnepr team was very professional, diligent and responsive. The aircraft was positioned in time and the loading was performed without any errors or delays," stated Andrey Tsaryok, acting ceo of Krasnodar Drilling.

www.volga-dnepr.com