• 

  Aeroflot

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  SU/AFL

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1923

  Alliance:

  SkyTeam

  CEO:

  Sergei Alexandrovsky

  Country:

  Russia

  Region:

  Europe

Last Friday, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, had a meeting with Aeroflot CEO Sergei Aleksandrovsky. The meeting was held in Moscow at the Kremlin, focusing on Aeroflot's work in passenger transportation.

Straight down to business

Simple Flying was, unfortunately, not invited to the August 26 meeting, but we do have the official transcript, which is a fascinating insight. It's an all-business meeting, or at least the transcript is, with a critical point about halfway through, when Putin asks the Aeroflot CEO, "What do you see in the mid-term?" Aleksandrovsky replies that Aeroflot is focused on preparing domestic aircraft for operation and updating its strategy by tailoring it to the comprehensive transport development program until 2030. He then adds:

"Overall, we are planning to contract 323 domestic aircraft, including 73 Sukhoi Superjets and 210 MS-21s - these planes have a new image, they are equipped with Russian engines and are an import substitution product, and also 40 Tu-214s."

He tells the president that Aeroflot will need an additional 3,500 pilots and eight full flight simulators for the program, which will be "a serious impetus for the development of our company, both in the mid-term and long-term." Having heard such promising news, Putin says it will also be good "for the aircraft industry" and "there has not been an order like this for a long time."

Current data from ch-aviation.com shows that Aeroflot has a fleet of 305 aircraft, with 147 active, 31 inactive and 127 wet-leased in. The only Russian-built aircraft it has are 76 Sukhoi SSJ 100/95Bs. It has 149 Airbus aircraft, dominated by 130 A320-family types. Its Boeing aircraft are 47 B737-800s, four B747-400s, three B777-300s and 26 B777-300ERs.

Discover more aviation news here!

Putin opened the meeting by explaining the state was trying to support all carriers and had allocated 50 billion rubles ($831 million) to that end. Aeroflot received 10.3 billion rubles ($171m) in April and May, which Aleksandrovsky said was keeping the airline flying. Aeroflot also received 15 billion rubles ($250m) for ticket refunds and is increasing its authorized capital to cover debts. He told Putin the airline was "receiving all the necessary support from the state."

The transcript says Aeroflot is flying to 111 destinations, 18 more than in 2021. It has increased daily Moscow flights to St. Petersburg from 31 to 45, Sochi from 15 to 25, and Minerainye Vody from two to eight. The CEO said Aeroflot has reduced airfares by 10% compared to 2021 and 21% compared to 2019, leading to a "considerable increase in passengers per flight."

Putin is worried about service and parts

The Aeroflot Group also includes Rossiya and low-cost carrier Pobeda Airlines, which gets the tick from the CEO as "our most efficient airline" with an average load factor of 95%. He added that Aeroflot also had a higher than usual load factor in the summer, around 91%-95%. As the meeting came to a close, Putin imparted some of his own wisdom to Aleksandrovsky, saying:

We also need to develop servicing and acquire parts and components. Everything needs to be in place.

In a smart move, the CEO warmly agreed that this, of course, was a key issue. "It's not enough to manufacture an airplane. An airline needs to operate it efficiently and ensure high-quality service."

Putin simply replied, "fine."