Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ outsize cargo technicians used a special aircraft ramp extension to load a 24-metre long oil and gas drilling rig onto its An-124-100 freighter bound for Mirny in Russia. The rig was delivered from Novy Urengoy for Krasnodar Drilling, a branch of the Gazprom Drilling Company, one of Russia’s largest specialists in oil and gas well construction. It will be used at the Verkhnechonskoe oil and gas condensate field. The ramp extension reduced the ramp slope and enable loading and unloading of the long single piece of cargo. The drilling rig was then pulled into the cargo hold by a tractor. As part of its service, Volga-Dnepr also obtained special permission to operate from Novy Urengoy and Mirny airports and arranged the necessary terminal services. “The Volga-Dnepr team was very professional, diligent and responsive. The aircraft was positioned in time and the loading was performed without any errors or delays,” stated Andrey Tsaryok, Acting CEO of Krasnodar Drilling. As a specialist logistics provider to the oil and gas industry, Volga-Dnepr Airlines has performed over 1,100 flights for leading customers in the sector, carrying unique, outsize and heavyweight shipments all over the world.