UIA Increases Freighter Fleet

(Kyiv, Ukraine, April 21, 2008) -- Ukraine International Airlines announced today it has signed a contract to lease one (1) Boeing 737-300SF freighter aircraft from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS). UIA is the first customer in Ukraine to add the 737-300SF freighter to its fleet. This aircraft is the freighter version of one of the best-selling and popular commercial passenger aircraft in the world today and represents a big increase in UIA's freight carrying capacity.

The aircraft will be delivered to UIA and will start commercial flights in June 2008. The aircraft will be equipped with industry-standard ULD (Unit Load Device) compartment allowing large quantities of cargo to be packed onto specially designed pallets thereby saving time and effort and providing better traceability of cargo. The aircraft has an overall cargo payload capacity of 20,000 kg and due to its highly advanced technology is capable of carrying a wider variety of cargos than was possible using older aircraft.

These include the usual mail and courier loads as well as specialized loads:
- perishables in controlled temperature environment,
- safe and confidential transportation of valuables,
- the professionally supervised handling of live animals,
- bulky and oversized cargos,
- the transportation of goods internationally termed as dangerous

With this addition, UIA's air freight transportation network is being expanded to include the Liege Airport hub and East-bound destinations.

"This is a significant step toward enhancing the UIA cargo fleet and transportation services within our renewed Cargo Solutions Portfolio," said Peter Kukharchuk, UIA Logistics and Cargo Director. "The 737-300SF freighter will be a tremendous addition - it is a very fuel efficient, environmentally friendly aircraft which will provide lower operating and maintenance costs compared to the older types of aircraft used in the past."

"Ukraine's economy is growing and the need for high quality cargo services is on the rise," said Richard Creagh, UIA Deputy President. "The addition of this new aircraft reaffirms our leadership position on the local market and allows us to be the premier provider of guaranteed, mission-critical, and 'scheduled overnight' services to a large number of destinations. We are currently in negotiations with possible partner companies to further expand our air freight transportation network and to offer new and innovative products to our customers."

Source : Ukraine International Airlines

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