N706BL was one of 12-13 planes Kalitta bought from NW Airlines after their merger with Delta. They had one other plane, also a 747 bought from a Pakistani company. It was sold.

Once the flights commence watch for Baltia to pick up another plane. And probably another by years end. Within the next 12 months they will be a recognized international sweetheart.

After making a half a dozen trips to Russia and the Ukraine myself, an 8 hour joy ride non stop without going through a hub and burning 17-20 hours (and that's without weather or any other delays) is fantastic.

That's a shorter commute than Barrington Hills to Chicago during the week, or Ridgefield CT. To Manhatten!!

The 747 is the biggest passenger plane, caries more cargo than any other, and with an 8 hour flight time to St. Pete and probably similar to Moscow think FEDEX contractor- "When it absolutely positively needs to be there overnight. Door to door overnight........to Russia!!!

See the following link to The Safest Planes in the Sky..

http://www.fearofflying.com/resources/safest-...fety.shtml