Volga-Dnepr Airlines and AirBridgeCargo Airlines' have successfully completed a pre- audit of their emissions monitoring system conducted by Emissions Trading Scheme Verification GmbH, one of the leading experts in the field.

Following the audit both companies confirmed their readiness for the main audit and prospective compliance with new environmental requirements set forth in European aviation directives.

According to Gido Harling, Director of Emission Trading Scheme Verification GmbH, Volga-Dnepr and AirBridgeCargo are among Russia's most prepared carriers in terms of compliance with EC emissions directives and standards. He expressed his confidence that both companies would successfully pass the main audit scheduled for March 2011. He said Volga-Dnepr's sound environmental policy indicated the management's responsible approach to environmental protection.

The European Community will introduce its Emissions Trading System (ETS) initiative into the aviation industry from 2012. The system will be mandatory for all carriers operating to EC member countries. The EC ETS system evolved from the Kyoto Protocol 1997 to the United Nations international treaty on global warming in which participating nations committed to reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide and creating instruments for dealing with climate change.