Volga-Dnepr Airlines has helped Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) satisfy a big increase in demand for its new PlayStation' 2 console by successfully completing a programme of AN-124 freighter flights on its behalf.

Volga-Dnepr operated the flights in the lead up to Christmas and the New Year and in January 2005 to satisfy orders from hundreds of thousands of customers. In total, the airline transported more than 7,000 tons of product for SCEE between Asia and points across Europe.

Gordon Marshall, Vice President Logistics for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), said, "Demand for our new model PlayStation 2, launched in November 2004, far exceeded our expectations and created a short-term logistics challenge for us to deliver additional stock to markets across Europe in time for Christmas.

"By working in partnership with Schenker, Volga-Dnepr and Airport Management, we were able to quickly put in place a programme of Antonov AN-124 flights to ensure SCEE was able to successfully deliver PlayStation 2 consoles to our customers within the timescales we had set. We wish to thank all of our supply chain partners for their speed of response and for helping us to meet our customers' needs."

Vladimir Davidov, General Director of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, said: "In conjunction with our partner, Schenker, we were able to meet the expectations of SCEE to deliver a huge consignment of cargo to ensure it could satisfy the high levels of pre and post-Christmas demand for its new product."

Using Volga-Dnepr's AN-124 fleet for such a big logistics challenge provided a number of time critical benefits for SCEE. In addition to the significant payload capacity of each flight, Volga-Dnepr was able to transport the goods in their original pack and eliminated the need to transfer product between aircraft, saving time and reducing the risk of damage during the reloading process.

This is not the first time Volga-Dnepr has provided a big logistics solution for SCEE. In 1999/2000, the airline participated in the launch of the first Sony PlayStation 2, produced for the new millennium. On this occasion, Volga-Dnepr completed 30 flights from Macau in Asia to Maastricht in The Netherlands.