Volga-Dnepr Airlines has been voted 'Best Cargo Charter Airline of the Year 2009' by the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA).

Dennis GliznoutsaThe award was presented by Graeme Sweenie, Chief Commercial Officer of the sponsor, Infratil Airports Europe, at a special BACA 60th Anniversary awards luncheon, which took place at the prestigious Guildhall in London. This year's event attracted a record audience of 320 senior air charter industry executives.

Dennis Gliznoutsa, Group Commercial Director (Charters), said: 'It was a pleasant surprise to be honored with such a prestigious award from BACA. Despite it being a difficult year, we are proud that as a company we have continued to fulfill our customers' expectations, and this award recognizes the success of our hard working team.'

Dick Gilbert, Chairman of BACA, said: 'We are delighted to present Volga-Dnepr with this award, which comes as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Baltic Air Charter Association. Our Annual Excellence Awards honours quality and distinguished service within the air charter industry.'

BACA's membership of some 125 companies - including airbrokers, charter airlines, airports, business aircraft operators, freight forwarders, consultants and others ' vote annually to choose the winners of the Association's awards. Categories also include Best Passenger Charter Airline, Best General Aviation Operator, Best Airport and Best Handling Agent.

BACA is the successor of the Airbrokers' Association founded by members of the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange in March 1949. Its purpose was to bring to aircraft chartering the same standards of integrity and professionalism for which the Baltic Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers have for so long been known and respected.

Earlier this year, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, the scheduled cargo business of Volga-Dnepr Group, won the prestigious 'Wings of Russia Award' for 'Airline of the Year ' Cargo Carrier Operating in Domestic and International Air Lines'. The airline won the accolade based on its growth and development in 2008 and the balanced strategy applied to its development by Volga-Dnepr Group.