Russia's governmental airline Rossiya is restructuring and updating its fleet as it expands its passenger operations.
The Moscow-based carrier has sold its two Antonov An-124 freighters to Air Foyle partner Antonov Airlines, while its two Tupolev Tu-204-100s have been sold to the BASCO group for operation by Tsentr Avia. An Ilyushin Il-62M has been sold to a Libyan carrier, while Alrosa Avia and Pulkovo have each acquired a Tupolev Tu-154M.
Rossiya's Tu-204s had seen little use as they were delivered before the type certification was issued, and require $4 million worth of modifications which BASCO is undertaking at its maintenance centre near Moscow.
Rossiya's government-appointed new general director, Nikolai Schipil, is in the final stages of negotiating finance to add two Kazan-built Tupolev Tu-214s to the fleet. The airline expects to receive a second Il-96-300 by the end of the year to serve as a back up to its Presidential aircraft.
Apart from its executive flying, Rossiya operates services for Aeroflot, along with some holiday inclusive tour services to ensure that its flightcrews retain their licence currency.
Schipil has secured a route licence for Rossiya to operate as the second designated Russian carrier on services between Moscow and Tel Aviv. Business class cabins are being installed in three Tu-154Ms for the service.
Source: Flight International
