Tag Archives: Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Will the Transaero Airlines brand be retired and merged into Aeroflot?

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) has agreed to acquire 75 percent of the shares of failing Transaero Airlines (Moscow). Aeroflot is buying out its main competitor (and its $1.6 billion debt) for the symbolic price of one ruble. Transaero Airlines is the second largest airline in Russia and has lately been failing and building up a large debt.

According to Reuters, “Transaero will be completely overhauled and integrated into the Aeroflot group,” an Aeroflot spokesman was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.

For now, the Transaero Airlines name will be kept alive as a significant but shrinking part of the Aeroflot Group. However for the long term, will Transaero be merged into Aeroflot and the brand retired?

Above Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Transaero has been introducing this new brand with its new deliveries. Will this new look be retained?

51 percent of the Aeroflot stock is owned by the government of Russia. The government is backing its major industries.

Transaero Airlines (and many other Russian airlines) have been struggling since the ruble collapsed in 2014. In short, Russian citizens are traveling less overseas with their devalued currency.

As we previously reported, even Aeroflot reported a loss in the first half of this year.

On September 1, Transaero Airlines issued this short statement:

The Government of the Russian Federation held the meeting of the Intergovernmental commission chaired by Igor Shuvalov, First Deputy Prime Minister, on the issues of air transport industry.

In the interests of the development of the commercial aviation and creating one of the largest in the world group of airlines, the commission has approved the acquisition of JSC Transaero Airlines by Aeroflot group.

The shareholders of Transaero Airlines believe this measure will serve the interests of passengers, personnel and partners of the airline.

The Chairman of the meeting has highly appreciated the role of the founders, managers and all the personnel of Transaero Airlines in the modern history of the commercial aviation of the country.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-United Airlines and Air India Boeing 777-222 ER EI-UNV (msn 28714, ex N205UA/VT-AIK) arrives at Los Angeles International Airport.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Transaero Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Transaero Airlines aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot Group reports a net loss for the first half

Aeroflot Group (Aeroflot Russian Airlines) (Moscow) today (August 31) published its consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2015, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards:

First Half (1H) 2015 Operating and Financial Highlights for Aeroflot Group:

Group passenger traffic increased by 14.0% year-on-year, with 33.4% year-on-year growth in the domestic segment;
Aeroflot Group increased its market share [1] by 5.8 percentage points (p.p.) year-on-year to 37.0%;
Revenue reached RUB 176,467 million, up 25.8% year-on-year;
EBITDAR [2] nearly doubled year-on-year to RUB 33,252 million;
EBITDA [2] increased by more than two-fold year-on-year to RUB 13,311 million;
Operating profit amounted to RUB 5,866 million as compared to an operating loss of RUB 1,384 million in 1H 2014;
Net loss amounted to RUB 3,541 million ($52,699.99)

Shamil Kurmashov, PJSC Aeroflot Deputy CEO for Finance and Network and Revenue Management, commented:

“In the first half of 2015, Aeroflot Group strengthened its position as the leader in the Russian air transportation market with 14.0% year-on-year growth in passenger traffic and a 5.8 percentage point increase in market share. This was driven by strong operational performance at Aeroflot airline and the successful roll-out of Russia’s first low-cost carrier, Pobeda, which has quickly become one the top airlines in the country. The Group also benefited from changes in the competitive landscape, taking market share from foreign carriers that decreased frequencies on a number of routes as well as less efficient Russian peers.

“Our focus on the high-growth domestic market paid off with strong increases in Group traffic, which drove revenue up 25.8% year-on-year to RUB 176.5 billion, while strict cost control reined in growth of operational expenses despite exchange rate volatility. As a result, in the first half of 2015 Aeroflot Group posted an operating profit of RUB 5.9 billion; EBITDA and EBITDAR also rose, and the EBITDA and EBITDAR margins increased 3.9 and 6.9 percentage points to 7.5% and 18.8%, respectively.

“The Group focused on fleet optimization, cost-cutting, boosting efficiency of business processes and financial management, and maintaining a robust financial position. We are confident our policy of expanding our presence on the growing Russian market, maintaining customer loyalty and increasing business efficiency will enable continued growth in the Group’s profitability as the Russian economy recovers.”

In 1H 2015, Aeroflot Group’s revenue increased by 25.8% year-on-year to RUB 176,467 million, primarily as a result of an increase in revenue from Scheduled passenger flights and Other revenues.

Revenue from scheduled passenger flights in 1H 2015 increased by 30.0% year-on-year to RUB 144,087 million, boosted by 14.0% growth in passenger traffic year-on-year. Revenue from charter flights decreased by 71.0% to RUB 2,075 million, due to the Group’s strategy to decrease its presence in this market segment, as well as overall market dynamics in tourism traffic.

Despite a 1.0% decrease in the volume of cargo and mail carried in 1H 2015, cargo revenue increased 16.3% year-on-year on the back of stronger yields.

Other revenues increased by 39.9% year-on-year to 25,863 million, mainly driven by an increase in FX-denominated revenues from airline agreements following changes in the exchange rate.

Notes:

1. Including foreign carriers traffic.

2. EBITDAR = EBITDA before operating lease expenses. EBITDA = operating income + depreciation & amortization + customs duties.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3M0 ER VQ-BUB (msn 41690) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot to transfer 13 Boeing 737-800s to Pobeda

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) on June 22 received permission at its annual general meeting of its shareholders to transfer 13 Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Pobeda (Moscow) on a long-term sublease.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Aeroflot Russian Airlines’ Boeing 737-8LJ WL VP-BZB (msn 41199) departs from London (Heathrow) colors.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. Aeroflot subsidiary Pobeda’s new Boeing 737-8LJ VQ-BWH (msn 41206) arrives back at Boeing Field in Seattle after a test flight.

Aeroflots cancels its order for 22 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) has cancelled its order for 22 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners due to delays in the deliveries according to Deputy Chief Executive Giorgio Callegario in an interview with Bloomberg at the Paris Air Show.

Read the full report from Bloomberg: CLICK HERE

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot adds a second daily flight to Hamburg

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) has increased the flight frequency on the Moscow-Hamburg route. The airline has added a second daily flight. This addition bucks the trend of other airlines which have been dropping some routes between Europe and Russia.

On June 1, 2015, in a festive atmosphere, Aeroflot performed its first additional flight on the Moscow — Hamburg route. According to the airline, “The flight was warmly welcomed by Aeroflot German office in Hamburg and airport staff with the water salute and a celebratory cake.”

An additional flight to Hamburg will be operated on a daily basis from Sheremetyevo Airport (Terminal D) in Moscow on Airbus А320 family aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 VP-BDK (msn 2106) taxies at Zurich in the SkyTeam livery.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Bottom Photo: Aeroflot. On May 15 Aeroflot celebrated 85 Years of flight attendants. This photo shows some of the various uniforms over the years.

Aeroflot celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the WWII victory with a special logo on RA-89047

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) on March 21 put into service its new Sukhoi Superjet 100-95B RA-89047 (msn 95047) on the Moscow (Sheremetyevo) – Minsk route. The pictured new SSJ100 carries a special emblem celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Russian victory in World War II. The airline issued this statement and photos:

An Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 with livery commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War on Saturday (March 21) completed its first flight on the Moscow-Minsk-Moscow route.

The aircraft, the newest SSJ-100 in Aeroflot’s fleet, is named after Alexander Gruzdin, one of the Soviet Union’s leading wartime pilots. Minsk was chosen as the destination for the first flight because of its particular symbolism and importance in the Victory.

All of Aeroflot’s Russian-built planes will be emblazoned with the Victory livery as part of the Company’s commemorations of this landmark date. The key elements of the design are a white dove on a blue background and a ribbon of the Order of St George.

Aeroflot is preparing an extensive slate of events to mark the Anniversary. The centrepiece is the annual programme of free tickets for military veterans and those injured during the Great Patriotic War, as well as those accompanying them, on routes to cities that played a key role during the War from 3-12 May. Citizens of other former Soviet countries will also be eligible. This year Aeroflot will for the first time cover all travel costs including tickets and taxes, while the cap on the total number of tickets available has also been lifted. The programme covers flights operated under the SU code by Aeroflot Group on domestic routes and flights to selected destinations across Europe and the CIS.

Aeroflot was the first Russian airline to introduce free tickets for war veterans as part of the Victory Day celebrations. In 2014 Aeroflot carried about 3,600 passengers under the programme, which has benefited about 50,000 passengers in its 15-year history.

Aeroflot also plans to create a section of its website dedicated to the wartime contribution of civil aviation. The Aeroflot Museum at Sheremetyevo International Airport will also host an exhibition entitled «The Unknown Soldier» to showcase materials from the family archives of Aeroflot employees. The airline will also plant a number of trees along the Aeroflot Walk of Fame.

Top Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com. RA-89047 arrives at Moscow (Sheremetyevo) yesterday (March 23). All other photos by Aeroflot.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot orders 20 more Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCA) have signed an agreement for an additional 20 of the latest Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft.

The aircraft seat 87 passengers in a dual-class configuration (12 seats in business and 75 in economy) and with a flight range of 2,400 km.

The new aircraft will fly on short-haul domestic routes operated by Aeroflot Group subsidiaries.

The SSJ-100 received certification from the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC AR) in January 2011.

The new agreement is in addition to an existing contract for 30 SSJ-100s, and will bring Aeroflot Group’s fleet of SSJ-100s to a total of 50 aircraft by 2017.

Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com. Sukhoi Superjet 100-95B RA-89008 (msn 95016) prepares to land back at the Sheremetyevo Airport base in Moscow.

Aeroflot Russian Airlines aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-Europe-1/Aeroflot-Russian-Airlines

Aeroflot to launch two new routes on January 2

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) on January 2, 2015 will launch the Moscow — Murmansk — Moscow and Moscow — Arkhangelsk — Moscow routes.

Aeroflot will provide two daily flights to each city on Airbus A320s from Sheremetyevo Airport Terminal D.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Aeroflot Russian Airlines’ Airbus A320-214 VQ-BBC (msn 3835) arrives in London (Heathrow).

Aeroflot Russian Airlines aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-Europe-1/Aeroflot-Russian-Airlines

Aeroflot to start Moscow-Samarkand flights

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) in January is starting daily regular flights on the route Moscow — Samarkand.

Aeroflot will operate the new route with Airbus A320s from Sheremetyevo Airport Terminal D.

Samarkand is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and the capital of the Samarkand Province.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-Europe-1/Aeroflot-Russian-Airlines

Aeroflot suspends the Moscow-Kharkiv and Moscow-Dnepropetrovsk routes

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow-Sheremetyevo) has suspended the Moscow-Kharkiv and Moscow-Dnepropetrovsk routes following actions by the Ukraine government. Both cities are located in the Ukraine. The Russian airline issued this statement:

Ukraine’s State Aviation Administration without giving a reason has banned Russian airlines flights on the route Moscow – Kharkiv and Moscow – Dnepropetrovsk. The affected airlines are Aeroflot, Transaero, UTair, UTair-Ukraine and Dniproavia. Thus the permission to perform operations on these routes issued by Ukraine’s State Aviation Administration on October 24, 2014 and November 17, 2014 has been withdrawn.

Due to this fact Aeroflot was forced to cancel a previously scheduled winter season 2014/15 flights:

SU1810/1811 and SU1838/1839 Sheremetyevo – Kharkiv – Sheremetyevo;
SU1816/1817 Sheremetyevo – Dnepropetrovsk – Sheremetyevo.

Passengers of canceled flights are able to return their tickets without penalties as well as to reroute for Aeroflot flights to/from Kiev.

Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-111 VP-BWL (msn 2243) arrives back at the Sheremetyevo hub in Moscow.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-1/Airlines-Europe-1/Aeroflot-Russian-Airlines