AirBridgeCargo leaves the door open for a potential return in 2025
AirBridgeCargo (ABC), once Russia’s largest cargo airline, has hinted at a possible return to operations in 2025, according to its financial statements. The carrier suspended activities in 2022 following international sanctions.
According to the Interfax agency, the company stated in its report that it is closely monitoring geopolitical developments and believes that 2025 could present opportunities to implement plans for a relaunch.
ABC continues to preserve its fleet of 14 Boeing aircraft—including ten Boeing 747-8Fs (average age: 10.2 years), three 747-400ERFs (17.6 years), and one 777-200LRF (4.7 years)—in compliance with manufacturer guidelines, aviation authority regulations, and leasing agreements. The airline is also in ongoing talks with lessors to settle outstanding obligations and is exploring partnerships in countries friendly to Russia.
In its 2023 report, AirBridgeCargo outlined further steps toward resuming operations, including plans to introduce “new types of aircraft.” In March of that year, the company announced plans to acquire two Russian-made Il-96-400T aircraft to launch cargo flights to China, as reported by AEROIN, a partner outlet.
The deliveries were to be arranged through Ilyushin Finance Co., a leasing arm of the state-owned Rostec conglomerate. After initially receiving two Il-96 aircraft, AirBridgeCargo expressed interest in expanding the order to 10 units. However, the company never received the planes. Instead, the two aircraft were reassigned to Sky Gates Airlines, another Rostec-controlled cargo operator.
Historically, AirBridgeCargo operated an all-Boeing fleet, but ceased operations in March 2022. In August 2024, the airline—along with sister companies Volga-Dnepr and Atran (all part of the Volga-Dnepr Group)—was targeted by U.S. sanctions. By November, the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia suspended AirBridgeCargo’s operating certificate.
In 2021, AirBridgeCargo transported 639,000 tonnes of cargo, a 21% increase from the previous year, capturing approximately 43% of the domestic market, according to Rosaviatsia. The group was founded by Alexey Isaikin.
Editor en Aviacionline. Especializado en Aviación Comercial / Aviación en Argentina. 45 años de periodista, y contando.
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