Tag Archives: Rossiya Airlines

Rossiya moves forward on furloughing more of its Airbus pilots as it tries to replace its Airbus fleet

Rossiya Airlines is struggling to keep its Airbus fleet in the air due to western sanctions on spare parts as a result of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

The union representing the pilots of the airline reportedly has warned that up to 100 Airbus pilots could be put on furlough as aircraft are grounded due to the lack of parts.

Meanwhile Russian airlines, due to western sanctions against Russia, are attempting to replace their western-built airliners with Russian aircraft.

As an example, the first MC-21 aircraft, owned by Irkut Corporation (UAC of Rostec), received the livery of Rossiya Airlines (Aeroflot Group), the largest operator of domestic aircraft. The airliner was painted in the company’s livery in Ulyanovsk, using Russian-made paint.

The Rossiya fleet currently includes 74 SuperJet 100 aircraft, which have been in high demand, transporting passengers to over a hundred destinations for nearly two years.

At the moment, the modern Russian medium-range MC-21 airliner is part of the import substitution program and cannot yet be added to the operator’s certificate for commercial transportation.

The MC-21 prototype aircraft will be operated by Irkut Corporation for training instructor pilots for the Rossiya Airlines. In addition, together with the manufacturer, Aeroflot Group will also work on a roadmap for maintenance of the new liners at potential route network airports.

In July 2021, Rossiya Airlines and Irkut Corporation formed a working group to implement a package of measures for launching commercial flights on MC-21 aircraft. At the initial stage, the airline will apply its corporate gray, red, and white livery to three experimental Irkut aircraft not included in Irkut’s fleet. The livery will later be applied to aircraft already included in the fleet.

Top Copyright Photo: Rossiya Airlines Airbus A320-214 WL VQ-BSH (msn 6022) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 955565.

Rossiya aircraft photo gallery:

Aeroflot Group’s 2Q results “affected by the current geopolitical situation”

Aeroflot Group issued this financial statement for the second quarter:

Aeroflot PJSC (Moscow Exchange ticker: AFLT) today announces
Aeroflot Group operating results for Q2 and 6 months 2022

Key highlights of Q2 2022:

  • Group’s operating results in Q2 2022 were affected by the current geopolitical situation
    and significant flight restrictions.
  • Aeroflot Group actively recovered transportation volumes after a decrease in March 2022, the average monthly growth rate in Q2 was 19.5%: international flights were partially restored, dynamics
    of domestic flights improved.
  • In domestic segment Group’s RPK increased by 0.4% year-on-year, Aeroflot’s RPK increased
    by 23.7% vs. 2021.
  • In international segment in June the Group recovered RPK to 50.8% of 2021 levels, which compares to 15.4% recovery level in April 2022.
  • Operational efficiency has improved: passenger load factor amounted to 83.7%, up by 5.6 percentage points year-on-year. Pobeda Airlines recorded the highest absolute load indicator: passenger load factor was 95.3%, up 1.5 percentage points vs. Q2 2021.

Key highlights of 6 months 2022:

  • Aeroflot Group carried 17.2 million passengers, including 14.7 million passengers in domestic segment.
  • Passenger load factor was 79.9%, up by 1.0 percentage point year-on-year, in domestic segment passenger load factor was 82.6%, a 1.5 percentage points increase vs. 2021.
  • Group’s total RPK increased by 3.7% year-on-year, in domestic segment Group’s RPK improved by 4.9% year-on-year.

Aeroflot Airlines Operating Results

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Change

6M 2022

6M 2021

Change

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

4,182.1

5,094.6

(17.9%)

7,945.8

8,364.8

(5.0%)

– international

408.1

1,223.3

(66.6%)

1,684.2

1,900.1

(11.4%)

– domestic

3,774.0

3,871.3

(2.5%)

6,261.6

6,464.7

(3.1%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

11,205.1

12,165.1

(7.9%)

21,341.2

19,790.9

7.8%

– international

1,441.2

4,270.5

(66.3%)

6,042.4

6,741.2

(10.4%)

– domestic

9,763.9

7,894.5

23.7%

15,298.8

13,049.7

17.2%

Available Seat Kilometres, mn

13,881.2

16,889.2

(17.8%)

28,577.4

27,226.2

5.0%

– international

1,664.2

6,053.5

(72.5%)

9,017.6

9,778.5

(7.8%)

– domestic

12,217.0

10,835.6

12.7%

19,559.8

17,447.7

12.1%

Passenger load factor, %

80.7%

72.0%

8.7 p.p.

74.7%

72.7%

2.0 p.p.

– international

86.6%

70.5%

16.1 p.p.

67.0%

68.9%

(1.9 p.p.)

– domestic

79.9%

72.9%

7.1 p.p.

78.2%

74.8%

3.4 p.p.

Revenue flights

28,010

39,883

(29.8%)

57,920

67,280

(13.9%)

– international

2,212

7,460

(70.3%)

12,078

12,773

(5.4%)

– domestic

25,798

32,423

(20.4%)

45,842

54,507

(15.9%)

Flight hours

81,879

105,653

(22.5%)

173,704

178,808

(2.9%)

Pobeda Airlines Operating Results

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Change

6M 2022

6M 2021

Change

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

2,459.0

3,642.7

(32.5%)

5,568.3

6,397.7

(13.0%)

– international

2.9

62.2

(95.4%)

245.4

222.8

10.2%

– domestic

2,456.1

3,580.4

(31.4%)

5,322.9

6,174.9

(13.8%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

4,815.7

5,906.3

(18.5%)

10,530.1

10,488.1

0.4%

– international

2.4

154.3

(98.4%)

672.9

549.5

22.5%

– domestic

4,813.2

5,752.0

(16.3%)

9,857.2

9,938.6

(0.8%)

Available Seat Kilometres, mn

5,054.5

6,298.2

(19.7%)

11,286.4

11,267.8

0.2%

– international

2.7

194.4

(98.6%)

778.6

661.5

17.7%

– domestic

5,051.8

6,103.9

(17.2%)

10,507.8

10,606.3

(0.9%)

Passenger load factor, %

95.3%

93.8%

1.5 p.p.

93.3%

93.1%

0.2 p.p.

– international

89.6%

79.4%

10.2 p.p.

86.4%

83.1%

3.4 p.p.

– domestic

95.3%

94.2%

1.0 p.p.

93.8%

93.7%

0.1 p.p.

Revenue flights

13,701

20,568

(33.4%)

31,655

36,412

(13.1%)

– international

17

416

(95.9%)

1,494

1,424

4.9%

– domestic

13,684

20,152

(32.1%)

30,161

34,988

(13.8%)

Flight hours

34,932

44,696

(21.8%)

79,566

80,477

(1.1%)

Rossiya Airlines Operating Results

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Change

6M 2022

6M 2021

Change

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

2,039.5

2,449.5

(16.7%)

3,670.5

3,794.8

(3.3%)

– international

241.7

262.6

(8.0%)

517.6

330.2

56.8%

– domestic

1,797.8

2,186.9

(17.8%)

3,152.9

3,464.6

(9.0%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

4,462.9

5,676.2

(21.4%)

8,557.8

8,711.6

(1.8%)

– international

484.5

845.2

(42.7%)

1,572.4

1,051.3

49.6%

– domestic

3,978.4

4,831.0

(17.6%)

6,985.4

7,660.3

(8.8%)

Available Seat Kilometres, mn

5,536.6

7,229.1

(23.4%)

10,760.9

10,957.4

(1.8%)

– international

620.2

982.5

(36.9%)

1,894.0

1,218.8

55.4%

– domestic

4,916.4

6,246.6

(21.3%)

8,866.9

9,738.6

(9.0%)

Passenger load factor, %

80.6%

78.5%

2.1 p.p.

79.5%

79.5%

0.0 p.p.

– international

78.1%

86.0%

(7.9 p.p.)

83.0%

86.3%

(3.2 p.p.)

– domestic

80.9%

77.3%

3.6 p.p.

78.8%

78.7%

0.1 p.p.

Revenue flights

20,717

21,658

(4.3%)

36,810

33,550

9.7%

– international

3,495

1,631

2.1х

5,209

2,214

2.4х

– domestic

17,222

20,027

(14.0%)

31,601

31,336

0.8%

Flight hours

49,525

51,493

(3.8%)

90,049

80,582

11.7%

Aeroflot Group Operating Results

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Change

6M 2022

6M 2021

Change

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

8,680.6

11,186.7

(22.4%)

17,184.7

18,557.3

(7.4%)

– international

652.7

1,548.1

(57.8%)

2,447.3

2,453.0

(0.2%)

– domestic

8,027.9

9,638.6

(16.7%)

14,737.4

16,104.2

(8.5%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

20,483.7

23,747.5

(13.7%)

40,429.1

38,990.6

3.7%

– international

1,928.1

5,270.1

(63.4%)

8,287.7

8,342.0

(0.7%)

– domestic

18,555.6

18,477.5

0.4%

32,141.4

30,648.6

4.9%

Available Seat Kilometres, mn

24,472.3

30,416.5

(19.5%)

50,624.7

49,451.5

2.4%

– international

2,287.1

7,230.4

(68.4%)

11,690.3

11,658.8

0.3%

– domestic

22,185.2

23,186.1

(4.3%)

38,934.4

37,792.7

3.0%

Passenger load factor, %

83.7%

78.1%

5.6 p.p.

79.9%

78.8%

1.0 p.p.

– international

84.3%

72.9%

11.4 p.p.

70.9%

71.6%

(0.7 p.p.)

– domestic

83.6%

79.7%

3.9 p.p.

82.6%

81.1%

1.5 p.p.

Cargo and mail carried, tonnes

35,634.3

64,445.8

(44.6%)

89,026.3

126,644.7

(29.7%)

– international

3,848.0

19,499.9

(80.2%)

22,958.8

44,478.7

(48.4%)

– domestic

31,786.3

44,945.9

(29.2%)

66,067.6

82,166.0

(19.6%)

Revenue Cargo Tonne Kilometres, mn

151.4

265.8

(43.0%)

378.3

541.1

(30.1%)

– international

16.8

104.5

(83.9%)

118.0

248.6

(52.5%)

– domestic

134.6

161.3

(16.5%)

260.3

292.5

(11.0%)

Revenue Tonne Kilometres, mn

1,995.0

2,403.0

(17.0%)

4,016.9

4,050.2

(0.8%)

– international

190.4

578.8

(67.1%)

863.9

999.4

(13.6%)

– domestic

1,804.6

1,824.2

(1.1%)

3,153.0

3,050.9

3.3%

Available Tonne Kilometres, mn

2,878.9

3,788.9

(24.0%)

6,056.7

6,356.8

(4.7%)

– international

266.9

1,046.7

(74.5%)

1,529.2

1,905.0

(19.7%)

– domestic

2,612.0

2,742.2

(4.7%)

4,527.5

4,451.8

1.7%

Revenue load factor, %

69.3%

63.4%

5.9 p.p.

66.3%

63.7%

2.6 p.p.

– international

71.3%

55.3%

16.0 p.p.

56.5%

52.5%

4.0 p.p.

– domestic

69.1%

66.5%

2.6 p.p.

69.6%

68.5%

1.1 p.p.

Revenue flights

62,428

82,109

(24.0%)

126,385

137,242

(7.9%)

– international

5,724

9,507

(39.8%)

18,781

16,411

14.4%

– domestic

56,704

72,602

(21.9%)

107,604

120,831

(10.9%)

Flight hours

166,336

201,842

(17.6%)

343,319

339,867

1.0%

Aeroflot Group Operating Results in Q2 2022

Aeroflot Group airlines: All flights

April

May

June

Total

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

2,177.8

2,746.8

3,756.1

8,680.6

Change vs. 2021, %

(27.9%)

(23.5%)

(17.9%)

(22.4%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

4,999.2

6,463.5

9,021.0

20,483.7

Change vs. 2021, %

(20.4%)

(14.6%)

(8.8%)

(13.7%)

Passenger load factor, %

82.6%

81.0%

86.4%

83.7%

Change vs. 2021, %

4.6 p.p.

5.2 p.p.

6.5 p.p.

5.6 p.p.

Aeroflot Group airlines: Domestic flights

April

May

June

Total

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

2,086.7

2,529.0

3,412.2

8,027.9

Change vs. 2021, %

(19.8%)

(18.2%)

(13.5%)

(16.7%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

4,779.8

5,822.6

7,953.2

18,555.6

Change vs. 2021, %

(1.5%)

(0.1%)

2.0%

0.4%

Passenger load factor, %

83.2%

81.0%

86.0%

83.6%

Change vs. 2021, %

3.6 p.p.

3.8 p.p.

4.2 p.p.

3.9 p.p.

 

 

Aeroflot Group airlines: International flights

April

May

June

Total

Passengers carried, thousand PAX

91.1

217.8

343.8

652.7

Change vs. 2021, %

(78.2%)

(56.5%)

(45.4%)

(57.8%)

Revenue Passenger Kilometres, mn

219.5

640.9

1,067.7

1,928.1

Change vs. 2021, %

(84.6%)

(63.2%)

(49.2%)

(63.4%)

Passenger load factor, %

71.2%

81.2%

89.8%

84.3%

Change vs. 2021, %

(1.8 p.p.)

9.6 p.p.

15.8 p.p.

11.4 p.p.

Aeroflot is listing leased aircraft in its profile:

Aeroflot has one of the youngest fleets in the world. As of 31 may 2022, the Aeroflot fleet consisted of 184 aircraft: Airbus А320, А330, А350, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 777-300ER, as well as the Russian-made Superjet 100. In 2020, new wide-body Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the newest long-haul planes, and in 2021, new medium-haul Airbus A320/321 neo aircraft joined the Aeroflot fleet.

As of May 31, 2022, the fleet includes:

Rossiya Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

 

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.

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

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.

2 operational (B-2445 and B-2447) + 1 VIP (B-2472)

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.

Passenger version being retired by Asiana, down to one aircraft (HL7428)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Type Retired: March 29, 2020 (flight KL686 MEX-AMS with PH-BFT)

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.

8 stored. For now last revenue flight: May 8, 2020: LH637 RUH-FRA with D-ABVX.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Transfer to Aurora from Aeroflot

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.

Airline Color Scheme - Introduced 2014

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 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).

Rossiya logo

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: AG Airline Slide Show

AG Staff Photographers

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: AG Slide Show

Aeroflot: AG Slide Show