Category Archives: Rossiya Russian Airlines

Rossiya resumes flights to Egyptian resorts

Rossiya Airlines (Aeroflot Group), in partnership with the largest tour operator Biblio-Globus, has resumed scheduled flights to popular Egyptian resorts from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport.

Flights from Moscow to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh will operate five times a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on Boeing 747-400 aircraft designed to carry 522 passengers: 12 in business class and 510 in economy class.

The first flights to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh departed on schedule from Sheremetyevo’s Terminal D on August 9.

Departure time to Hurghada is 08:55 with arrival at the resort airport at 12:50 local time. Return flights will depart Hurghada at 14:50 and arrive in Moscow at 20:35. Flights to Sharm el-Sheikh will depart at 10:30 and arrive at 14:25. Return flights will depart at 16:25 and arrive in Moscow at 22:10.

Aeroflot updates its strategy to 2028, Aurora to be sold

Aeroflot has issued this statement:

The Board of Directors of PJSC Aeroflot held a meeting on July 16 at which Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev presented an updated Aeroflot Group strategy for the period through 2028.

Under the updated strategy the Group will target 130 million passengers in 2028. The Group’s fleet is expected to reach 600 aircraft, of which 235 will be Russian-built.

The Strategy also calls for additional differentiation among the Group’s airlines in terms of their individual priorities and operating models.Aeroflot will focus on developing long-haul operations.

Pobeda will focus on budget travel and will aim to carry 55-65 million passengers in 2028. Further development of the Group’s low-cost carrier will help significantly reduce average ticket prices for economy-class travel and increase air transport accessibility in Russia.

Meanwhile, Rossiya will focus on the Russian domestic market, including flat fares on socially important routes, as well as on operating Russian-built aircraft.

Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev said:

“Key aspects of the updated strategy were developed at the end of 2019. Recent developments caused by the coronavirus pandemic showed us that we are on the right track. The updated strategy will make air travel more affordable and increase mobility, providing additional support for Aeroflot Group’s future growth.

“The strategy through 2028 is called 30/30, as it calls for an increase in passenger traffic by 30 million, and a decrease in the average fares for economy-class passengers in Russia by 30%. It is an ambitious goal, but I believe that we can achieve it and put Aeroflot Group among the 10 largest global aviation groups.”

Note: Aeroflot Group will sell its 51% share of Aurora to the minority owner.

Aeroflot aircraft photo gallery:

Aeroflot slide show:

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=x4M66Z&speed=3&transition=fade&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&transitionSpeed=2

Want to fly on a Boeing 747-400? – Hurry up, your options are narrowing

Large wide body airliners (like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747) have been hard to fill for airlines since the COVID-19 pandemic exploded around the world this spring. Many airlines have parked their Jumbos and some have moved up the planned retirement dates of the Boeing 747-400.

If you want to fly on the passenger type you better hurry. Other than governments and cargo operators, finding a passenger Boeing 747-400 flight is a challenge right now.

Some aircraft in storage will probably become active again when the passenger demand dictates the use of large wide body aircraft again. If the demand does not come back quickly it will probably mean the end of those aircraft in storage.

Above Photos: Boeing.

Below is the current situation based on the latest information for passenger airlines (corrections and additions are always welcome) (subject to change depending on returning traffic):

Air Atlanta Icelandic – The charter and ACMI specialist airline has five passenger 747-400s. Three are currently stored and two are operating on ACMI assignments.

Above Copyright Photo: Air Atlanta Icelandic Boeing 747-412 TF-AMI (msn 27066) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 928104.

Air China – Two 747-400s are operational (B-2445 and B-2447) but they stay mostly in China these days. Another aircraft (B-2472) is operated for the government. Air China also continues to operate the newer 747-800.

Above Copyright Photo: Air China Boeing 747-4J6 B-2445 (msn 25882) JFK (Ken Petersen). Image: 902765.

Asiana Airlines – Only one 747-400 passenger aircraft (HL7428) is active these days so the type is probably ready to be retired this year.

Above Copyright Photo: Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-48E HL7428 (msn 28552) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 910887.

Atlas Air – The charter and ACMI specialist airline currently has three active passenger 747-400s (N464MC, N465MC and N480MC). Assuming charter demand continues this airline could be one of the last passenger operators.

Above Copyright Photo: Atlas Air Boeing 747-446 N465MC (msn 24784) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 921869.

British Airways – The former largest 747-400 passenger operator has stored all 28 aircraft pending a return of passenger demand. For now, G-CIVO operated the last revenue flight (BA9116 LOS-LHR) on May 11, 2020.

Above Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 747-436 (Tails) LHR (Dave Glendinning). Image: 908409.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – As previously reported, PH-BFT operated the last regular revenue flight (KL686 MEX-AMS) on March 29, 2020. However the Jumbo was brought out of retirement to operate special medical cargo flights (along with PH-BFV and PH-BFW) during the pandemic. All 3 are expected to be re-retired again this year.

Above Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 PH-BFT (msn 28459) (100 Years) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 949485.

Lufthansa – The company was originally planning to retire the 747-400 fleet in 2025. That all changed with the pandemic. All 8 that remain operational are now in storage pending a return of passenger demand. D-ABVX operated the last 747-400 passenger revenue flight (LH637 RUH-FRA) on May 8, 2020.

Above Copyright Photo: Lufthansa Boeing 747-430 D-ABTK (msn 29871) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 938088.

Rossiya Russian Airlines – The Russian carrier parked all nine of its Boeing 747-400s. EI-XLF operated the last revenue flight (FV5876 HKT-SVO) on March 29, 2020.

Above Copyright Photo: Rossiya Airlines Boeing 747-446 EI-XLF (msn 27645) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 943781.

Wamos Air – The Spanish carrier has four active Boeing 747-400s. The carrier is planning to operate the type until 2023 but this could change with lower demand.

Above Copyright Photo: Wamos Air Boeing 747-412 EC-KSM (msn 27178) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 937680.

Boeing 747-400 Photo Gallery.

Recent 747-400 fleet retirements:

Air India – Four 747-400s are parked and not likely to return. VT-ESO operated the last revenue flight (AI966 HYD-BOM) on March 15, 2020.

China Airlines – Four passenger 747-400s are in storage and are not likely to return. B-18215 operated the last revenue flight (CI916 HKG-TPE) on March 15, 2020.

Corsair International – The French carrier parked its three passenger Boeing 747-400s in March and they are not likely to return. F-GTUI operated the last revenue flight (S5 927 PTP-ORY) on March 26, 2020,

El Al Israel Airlines – 4X-ELC operated the last passenger 747-400 revenue flight (LY1747 FCO-TLV) on November 3, 2019.

Iraqi Airways – The last passenger Boeing 747-400 (YI-ASA) operated the last revenue flight (IA3114, MED-BGW) on February 2, 2020.

Korean Air – HL7402 operated the last 747-400 passenger revenue flight (KE630 DPS-ICN) on February 29, 2020. Korean Air continues to operate the newer 747-800.

Mahan Air – The Iranian airline was recently again operating EP-MNB (February 2020) but it appears to be no longer flying, probably due to the embargo.

QANTAS Airways – The flag carrier decided to early retire the type due to a much lower demand. VH-OEE operated the last revenue flight (QF28 SCL-SYD) on March 29, 2020.

Thai Airways International – The flag carrier is in reorganization and is cutting costs and reducing aircraft types. HS-TGA operated the last 747-400 revenue flight (TG476 SYD-BKK) on March 26, 2020.

Virgin Atlantic Airways – G-VROS operated the last revenue flight (VS608 LAX-LHR) on March 31, 2020.

Poll. Who do you think will be the last Boeing 747-400 passenger airline operator?

Aeroflot launches its summer timetable

On March 25, 2018, Aeroflot will launch its summer timetable, which runs through October 27, 2018.

This summer, Aeroflot will fly to 146 destinations in 52 countries, including Russia.

Six new routes from Moscow will be introduced: to Cairo, Burgas, Naples, Verona, Kyzylorda, Saransk.

The Russian flag carrier’s route network covers 52 routes within Russia, 16 points in seven other CIS countries and 78 other international destinations (55 to Europe, 13 to Asia, five to America, four to the Middle East and one to Africa).

The main news regarding international flights is the resumption of regular flights to Egypt. From April 11, Aeroflot will re-open the Moscow-Cairo route. Flights are scheduled three times per week on Airbus A320 aircraft. From June 12 to July 2 this will increase to daily flights to respond to high demand.

Aeroflot will boost its presence in the Italian market, which is ever-popular with travellers. From July 1, Russia’s leading airline will open two new routes: Moscow-Verona and Moscow-Naples. Flights on each of these routes will operate daily on aircraft of the A320 family. In addition, the new season will see an increase in the number of flights between Moscow and Bologna (from 14 to 21 flights per week).

Aeroflot’s route network will expand to include one more European destination: from July 2 daily flights will begin from Moscow to Burgas, the famous Bulgarian resort.

In the coming season, Aeroflot plans to expand its presence in Kazakhstan. From July 15, flights will begin between Moscow and Kyzylorda. Flights between the Russian capital and this major center of oil and gas production in Kazakhstan will operate four times a week on aircraft of the A320 family. With the opening of this new route, the Aeroflot network will cover nine destinations across Kazakhstan. Additionally, the frequency of flights to current destinations will increase: from Moscow to Astana (from nine to 12 flights per week) and Aktobe (from four to seven flights per week).

From May 1, Aeroflot will begin direct flights from Moscow to Saransk, the capital of Mordovia. The service will operate twice daily.

Aeroflot’s summer schedule will see a significant increase in the frequency of flights across a number of routes in comparison with the winter season.

Aeroflot flights from Moscow to the following destinations will increase: Kaliningrad (from 28 to 42 flights per week), Kazan (from 47 to 49 flights per week), Nizhny Novgorod (from 35 to 42 flights per week ), Samara (from 42 to 49 flights per week), Krasnoyarsk (from 21 to 28 flights per week), Murmansk (from 21 to 28 flights per week), Novosibirsk (from 21 to 28 flights per week), Novy Urengoy (from seven to 13 flights per week), Perm (from 37 to 42 flights per week), Saratov (from 14 to 21 flights per week), Syktyvkar (from 14 to 21 flights per week), Ufa (from 35 to 42 flights per week), and Khanty-Mansiysk (from seven to 14 flights per week).

In line with seasonal demand, the airline will also increase the frequency of flights to international resorts: Antalya (from seven to 21 flights per week), Athens (from 14 to 21 flights per week), and Barcelona (from 23 to 29 flights per week).

Compared to the winter 2017/2018 season, Aeroflot will fly more frequently from Moscow to capital cities across Europe: Athens (from 14 to 21 flights per week), Budapest (from 21 to 28 flights per week), Bucharest (from seven to 14 flights per week), Vilnius (from 14 to 21 flights per week), Madrid (from 14 to 21 flights per week), Prague (from 35 to 42 flights per week), and Tallinn (from 14 to 21 flights per week).

Aeroflot’s route network will be complemented by the extensive geography of its subsidiary airlines.

Above Copyright Photo: Rossiya Airlines Airbus A319-111 VP-BQK (msn 3179) DUS (Rainer Bexten). Image: 938024.

Rossiya Airlines will operate flights from St. Petersburg to more than 40 domestic and foreign destinations. The highlight of the upcoming season will be a daily scheduled flight from Russia’s northern capital to London’s Gatwick airport. Rossiya’s network also includes more than two dozen routes from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, Rostov and Orenburg to destinations in Russia’s Far East. In addition, the upcoming summer season will see an extensive program of flights from Simferopol to 12 destinations in Russia: Volgograd, Kazan, Krasnodar, Mineralnye Vody, Nizhny Novgorod, Omsk, Orenburg, Perm, Rostov, Tyumen, Ufa and Chelyabinsk.

Above Copyright Photo: Aurora (Russia) Airbus A319-111 VP-BWL (msn 2243) SEN (Keith Burton). Image: 932471.

Regional carrier Aurora will also provide passengers with ample opportunities for travel in the Far East. The company will operate flights from Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, as well as flights within the Far Eastern Federal District.

Above Copyright Photo: Pobeda Boeing 737-8LJ WL VQ-BWH (msn 41206) BFI (Steve Bailey). Image: 926604.

Low-budget airline Pobeda traditionally develops its own unique flight network of 61 destinations in Russia and abroad.

In total, Aeroflot Group will operate regular flights to 305 destinations in 53 countries throughout summer 2018.

The geography of the Group’s network will be supplemented by 186 unique destinations, which will be operated by partner airlines under code-sharing agreements. Thanks to this cooperation, a further 19 countries will appear in Aeroflot’s route network: Australia, Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, Indonesia, Cambodia, Iceland, Ireland, Kenya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia and Tunisia.

In total, including cooperation with partners, Aeroflot Group will fly to 72 countries, including Russia, in the summer 2018 season. Flights are planned across 491 routes, 449 of which are unique.

Above Copyright Photo: Aeroflot Russian Airlines Airbus A320-214 VP-BDK (msn 2106) (SkyTeam) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 926327.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Rossiya Airlines resurrects Transaero’s “Siberian Tiger” nose on EI-XLD

Transaero Airlines in June 2015 unveiled at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, the official presentation of the joint project with the Amur Tiger Center of a new “Siberian Tiger” livery on the pictured 447-seat Boeing 747-412 EI-XLN (msn 28029). The special color scheme was designed to “draw attention of the international and the Russian public to the issues of environmental protection and conservation of rare and endangered species.”

The airline continued;

The project, called “Striped Flight”, has acquired the characteristics and features of the tiger with the nose of the aircraft adorned in the image of the head of the Amur tiger.

According to surveys conducted in 2015, the Amur tiger population in Russia in the wild has stabilized at around 510-540 individuals.

In the coming decade, the fate of tigers and the whole natural complex will largely depend on the concerted action of the international community. The airline and the Amur Tiger Center have joined forces under the motto: “Let’s save nature together.”

In flight, Transaero passengers on “Striped flight” will be able to view the documentaries produced by the Center under the “Siberian Tiger” project.

The Amur Tiger Center, located in Moscow and Vladivostok, specializes in the protection of Siberian Tigers.

However, as previously reported, Transaero ended ended all operations at midnight on October 25, 2015 after losing its AOC.

Rossiya Airlines, a subsidiary of Aeroflot, has taken over the Boeing 747-400s formerly operated by Transaero. The carrier has decided to carry on the “Siberian Tiger” campaign on this Boeing 747 (below).

Top Copyright Photo: Transaero Airlines Boeing 747-412 EI-XLN (msn 28029) (Siberian Tiger) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 929397.

Transaero:

Rossiya:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Rossiya Russian Airlines Boeing 747-446 EI-XLD (msn 26360) (Siberian Tiger) BKK (Michael B. Ing). Image: 936198.

Rossiya Airlines suspends Antonov An-148 scheduled flights

Rossiya Russian Airlines (subsidiary of Aeroflot Russian Airlines) (St. Petersburg) has suspended the operation of its relatively new six Antonov An-148s from scheduled passenger operations. The new type is more expensive to operate according to ch-aviation quoting company officials. The An-148 is built in the Ukraine. Per Airline Route, the airline operated its last scheduled flight on April 9 from Krasnodar to St. Petersburg. The type was introduced on February 2, 2010 from St. Petersburg to Moscow (Vnukovo).

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Antonov An-148-100B RA-61706 (msn 27015040006) prepares to land at Stockholm (Arlanda).

Rossiya Airlines aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot Group to take control of Rossiya Airlines on March 30

Aeroflot Group (Aeroflot Russian Airlines) (Moscow) will assume full commercial control of Rossiya Airlines (St. Petersburg) on March 30, 2014. According to the group, this step “continues the process of the successful integration of the subsidiaries that Aeroflot acquired from State Corporation Rostec in 2011.”

From March 30, 2014 all flights operated by Rossiya Airlines will be designated by Aeroflot’s IATA code (SU), and the code of Rossiya Airlines (FV) will cease to be used.

The assumption of commercial control marks a key step toward the full integration of Rossiya into Aeroflot Group, and is expected to generate additional revenues through the sale of flights operated by Aeroflot subsidiaries through the Group’s more than 200 interline e-ticket agreements, further strengthening Aeroflot’s financial position.

Rossiya was established in 1992 and was previously owned by the Russian government as a state airline. It is unclear at this time if Rossiya will remain a separate airline under the Aeroflot Group or it will be integrated at some point into Aeroflot Russian Airlines.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Rossiya’s Boeing 767-3Q8 EI-DZH (msn 29390) arrives at the popular resort of Antalya, Turkey.

Rossiya Airlines:

Aeroflot:

Rossiya retires its last Boeing 737-500

Rossiya Russian Airlines (St. Petersburg) in April retired its last Boeing 737-500.

Read the full account (in Russian) from ATO.RU: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren. Boeing 737-548 EI-CDD (msn 24989) in the Pulkovo colors prepares to land at Stockholm (Arlanda).

Rossiya:

Routes from St. Petersburg:

Rossiya to start St. Petersburg-Kazan service on May 1

Rossiya Russian Airlines (St. Petersburg) will start a new route from St. Petersburg (Pulkovo) to Kazan on May 1. The new route will be operated five days a week with new Antonov An-148s per Airline Route.

Rossiya Slide Show: CLICK HERE