► MAURITIUS: Transaero to operate Moscow - Mauritius from late December; eyes additional frequencies.

Russian carrier, Transaero (UN), will operate a limited Moscow (Domodedovo) to Mauritius service with effect from December 25 until January 16 (January 17 inbound). The twice weekly flights are set to use a mix of the B767-300ER and the B747-400 depending on demand.

► RUSSIA: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo resumes services to Moscow after 22 year hiatus.

After a 22 year hiatus, brought about by the collapse of the Soviet Union and along with it, the Derg Regime of Ethiopian strongman Mengistu Haile Mariam, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, on 15 August, reintroduced a twice weekly direct Addis Ababa - Moscow, Domodedovo flight using a Boeing 757-200PCF.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo Boeing 757-200PCF in Moscow (Alexey Viper)

"For the first time in 22 years a direct flight will be performed from Ethiopia to Moscow. Ethiopian Airlines will operate its first cargo flight from Addis Abeba to the capital of Russia. It will be loaded with the beautiful and fragrant cargo – flowers, that are intended to be demonstrated during the “Week of Ethiopian Flowers” exhibition which will be held from 17th to 19th of August at All-Russia Exhibition Center. Starting from August 2012 Ethiopian Airlines will operate regular cargo flights to Domodedovo twice a week. The main cargo goods transported from Ethiopia to Russia include flowers, coffee, olives and beans, gold, leather and spices."

Source [Domodedovo Airport]

In addition to the utilization of the belly space inside Ethiopian Airlines' passenger fleet - B787, B767-300, B757-200, B777-200 LR, B737-700 and B737-800 aircraft - Ethiopian cargo services operates dedicated freighter aircraft namely two Boeing 747-200F, two Boeing 757-200PCF, two McDonnell Douglas MD-11Fs with six Boeing 777F on order - on a charter and scheduled basis. Currently Ethiopian operates over 40 cargo destinations spread across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East via its hub – Addis Ababa, and another cargo hub at Liege in Belgium.