KLM Cargo Ilyushin Il-76

In 1990 the KLM was looking for a new cargo aircraft to cater to the increasing demand for air transport. They looked at their traditional aircraft supplier Boeing and also to Airbus but the aircraft offered did not fit into the price range KLM had in mind.

KLM then came into contact with the Ilyushin aircraft factory and was offered a number of Il-76 cargo aircraft. These aircraft were ordered by the Soviet air force in the late eighties but were never delivered. The aircraft offered a payload of 50.000kg and could be delivered on short notice. In all 22 aircraft were procured and they are in use till the present day.