DHL Russia to launch cargo flights from St. Petersburg to Helsinki

DHL plans to launch regular cargo flights this month from St. Petersburg to Helsinki in cooperation with an undisclosed St. Petersburg-based operator under its planned $250 million investment in the country by 2010, Russian media reported.
The Antonov AN-26, a twin-engined light turboprop transport aircraft originally made in Ukraine, will effect 5 cargo flights a week. By 2010, the company expects to increase the number of domestic flights to seven. The freighter has the capacity to transport about 5 tons of cargo and expected to fly 2-3 tons per flight initially. If the launch of the new cargo flights turns out to be profitable, DHL might buy AN-26 from the Russian partner. The value of the freighter is estimated to about €500,000, Adrian Marley, managing director of DHL Russia, said in a statement.

DHL has been operating in Russia since 1984. The company has more than 130 offices and agencies and a fleet of more than 550 vehicles in the country.