OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 August 2008 was announced, that the MD-11 Freighter of Russian Aeroflot-Cargo operating the flight RCF 913 on route Shanghai – Novosibirsk (Tolmachevo) – Hahn landed in Tolmachevo airport on August 12.

The aircraft is the first of three MD-11F provided to Aeroflot-Cargo by Boeing Company Corporation on the base of multiyear operational leasing.

The aircraft is supposed to operate flights via Tolmachevo International Airport from China to Germany three times a week.

Earlier the Carrier used the DC-10 Freighters on the routes via Tolmachevo. The Company plans to renew its existing DC-10-40-F cargo fleet for operating its domestic routes to Siberia and Far East. Three modernized MD-11F and two new Il-96-400T is planned to be operating via Tolmachevo in 2009.

Tolmachevo airport has obtained the Approval for handling MD-11F from Russian Ministry of Transport in 2003.

Tolmachevo International Airport (Novosibirsk) is the largest transit junction point between Europe and Asia. Technical possibilities of the airport allow it to handle every type of aircraft (passengers and cargo). The main shareholders are Russian Federation in face of Federal Agency for Managing of Federal Property – 51%, CJSC Depositor Clearing Company – 37.8%.

In 2007 the total amount of cargo and mail handled in Tolmachevo International Airport amounted 18,521 tons. The passenger traffic in 2007 increased up to 1,873.5 thousand people. In 2007 Company’s income amounted 2,867.072 million rubles.

The MD-11 Freighter is a former American McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing Corporation) reequipped passenger version of long haul aircraft. The refitment of MD-11 in cargo version includes modernization of flight deck, loading and unloading system, modernization of fuel system as well as rising payload and flight range.

The re-equipped version of MD-11 is capable to transport 87.5 tons of payload up to 6,500 km. Maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 630,500 pounds (286,000 kg). The main and lower cargo compartments contain up to 36 pallets or 96x125 inch containers.