Volga-Dnepr, which specializes in oversize cargo operations, has the world's largest fleet of Russian-built Ruslan An-124 cargo jets, and its subsidiary AirBridgeGargo already runs four Boeings-747.
"For the Volga-Dnepr group, the contract with the Boeing corporation for the supply of new aircraft is an event of great importance, as it promotes our general strategic goal of joining the world's top 20 cargo air carriers," the airlines president, Alexei Isaikin, said.
Volga-Dnepr's vice president for scheduled cargo operations, Stan Wraight, said the Boeings, which have an increased maximum payload of 112 metric tons, are to be supplied in November 2007, February 2008 and April 2008, and will be used on intercontinental routes from Russia to the United States.
The other five freighters will be supplied in 2010-2013, according to the contract, which also says An-124-100 parts could be used in the production of Boeings-787.
Volga-Dnepr is part of a Russian-Ukrainian consortium to build the An-124-100 Ruslan heavy cargo plane, the project the two countries agreed to resume in January.
The new version of the An-124 will feature advanced avionics, upgraded power units, increased payload capacity of up to 150 metric tons, an extended flight range and a smaller crew.
Wraight said the company would also buy Russian Tu-204-C cargo jets for domestic operations.
