Russian company to add two aircraft as part of strategy to expand services
Aeroflot Plus, the business aircraft arm of Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, plans to expand its operation from February with the addition of a leased Bombardier Learjet 60 and a Challenger 604. The acquisition of the super mid-size and large-cabin business jets is part of the company’s strategy to broaden its business aircraft services portfolio following its separation in December from its airline parent.
“We will continue to be a member of the Aeroflot group, but as a separate business unit and operating structure, Aeroflot Plus will be given greater autonomy and flexibility to develop and expand,” says Mikhail Pivovarov, adviser to the Aeroflot Plus general director.
Moscow-based Aeroflot Plus operates three VIP-configured Tupolev Tu-134 twinjets, which it plans to replace with Western-built aircraft. “To build our new fleet, we plan to move into aircraft management,” Pivovarov says, taking advantage of the burgeoning business aircraft market in Russia.
The company is seeking to build up a pool of pilots and engineers and will offer maintenance at its base in Sheremetyevo airport where it is pushing to develop the infrastructure, including a fixed base operation and dedicated hangars, to both attract and support business aviation.
Pivovarov acknowledges, however, that funding business aviation at Sheremetyevo is not a priority for the Russian government, which is focused on airline growth. “It is difficult to grow this business. Not only are we bottom of the priority list in terms of funding but there is also limited space to expand here.” As more airlines shift to nearby Vnukovo airport, which has a thriving business aviation base at its third terminal, Vnukovo 3, capacity may be eased, he suggests.
Vnukovo 3 is set to open its new business aircraft terminal this month to exploit the growth in traffic. According to Vipport, which manages the terminal in partnership with Russian aircraft handling company RusAero, business aircraft movements have increased from five flights a day in 2000, when the first terminal was built, to around 80 flights a day. “Over 1,400 flights were recorded in August alone,” says Vipport commercial director, Artyom Pastukhov.
Source: Flight International
