News Release: Chapman Freeborn and Volga-Dnepr deliver Argentina’s first satellite on AN-124 charter

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering and Volga-Dnepr Airlines have helped Argentina’s aerospace industry deliver a piece of history by transporting the first-ever space satellite manufactured in the country from San Carlos de Bariloche Airport to its launch site in French Guiana.

The ARSAT-1 satellite and its special transport container, weighing in common about 40 tons, were carried onboard an An-124-100 freighter under the Ruslan International joint venture. The flight was performed by Volga-Dnepr on behalf of the Brazil office of global aircraft charter specialists Chapman Freeborn. 

Speaking on behalf of Chapman Freeborn in Brazil, Maria Faria said: “We’re delighted to have managed this high-profile charter operation on behalf of our client. I would also like to thank Volga-Dnepr for its support in making this operation a huge success. The customer was very happy with the professionalism demonstrated.”

John Meehleder, Sales Executive of Volga-Dnepr Unique Air Cargo, said: “We have served customers in Argentina for some 22 years and over this period have carried over 7,000 tons of import and export cargo. We are proud to have helped Argentina make history by carrying the country’s first-ever satellite and look forward to being part of its ongoing growth in the global aerospace market.”  

ARSAT-1 is a geostationary communications satellite manufactured in Argentina by the INVAP S.E. company. It is scheduled to be launched in October 2014 and will provide a wide range of telecommunications, data transmission, telephone and television services mainly across all of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

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About Chapman Freeborn

Chapman Freeborn was established in the UK in 1973 and the group’s unparalleled global network comprises of over 30 locations around the world.

The company specialises in the charter and lease of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft for a wide ranging client base including freight forwarders, multinational corporations, governments, humanitarian agencies and a host of industries around the globe.

In addition to cargo charters and on board courier (OBC) services, Chapman Freeborn offers specialist passenger services including private jet and helicopter charters for executive travel and large aircraft for crew rotations and international group travel.

About Volga Dnepr

Volga-Dnepr Group is the world leader in the unique, oversize and heavy cargo market and the biggest Russian air cargo carrier. The Group’s companies include the charter operator namely Volga-Dnepr Airlines and scheduled cargo airline AirBridgeCargo (ABC). Volga-Dnepr Airlines fleet includes 10 An-124-100 “Ruslan” and five modernized IL-76TD-90VD cargo aircraft. The current ABC fleet includes 12 Boeing 747s (four B747-400ERF, three B-747-400F and five B-747-8F). In June 2011 Atran Airlines was included in the Volga-Dnepr Group. At present, Atran’s fleet consists of two Boeing 737-400SF freighters. Volga-Dnepr Technics (VDT) is a separate business unit within Volga-Dnepr Group. It provides a wide range of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for the Group’s scheduled and charter cargo airlines as well as for third party customers.

Photo Accreditation:

Images appear courtesy of ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE