Russia’s Atran launches new route from Moscow to Xi’an in China

Atran’s first flight on this new Russia-China route was operated in cooperation with Russian Post (Volga-Dnepr)

Focusing on the escalating demand for online purchases between China and Russia, Atran Airlines, the Russian air express carrier within the Volga-Dnepr Group, has launched a new route linking Moscow, Russia with Xi’an, China.

The first flight was operated by one of Atran’s Boeing 737-400SF converted freighters and there are further plans for the deployment of a bigger Boeing 737-800BCF which will guarantee up to 23 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight.

The airline’s first flight was operated with the support and close cooperation of Russian Post, Atran stresses in a statement.

The second largest airport in northern China, Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) offers less congestion and comfortably accommodates the emerging growth of cross-border e-commerce shipments between China and Russia.

“With global e-commerce growing at 20 per cent per year – and with a near 15 per cent uptick forecast in Russia over the next three-four years – the demand for high quality express air cargo services will be high. We are ready to guarantee this in close partnership with Russian Post and China Post,” highlights Dmitry Obsharov, general director of Atran Airlines. “Being part of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, this ancient capital of China will undergo developments that will facilitate its transformation into a multi-modal hub with emerging volumes passing through the airport,” he adds.

Atran’s recently expanded fleet, which now comprises Boeing 737-400SF and Boeing 737-800BCF cargo aircraft, will support the company’s network expansion and guarantee main-deck capacity for customers, the company statement points out.

Atran Airlines, one of the oldest established, Russia-based specialist airfreight carriers, joined the Volga-Dnepr Group in 2011. Presently, Atran’s fleet includes four B737-400SFs and a B737-800BCF narrow-body freighters intended for short- and medium-haul routes. The aircraft are based in Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport and also operate scheduled frequencies on routes between Russia and Europe.