Aeroflot is reviewing how it will fill a "generational gap" as it considers how to replace more than 100 narrowbody aircraft that will be phased out over the coming years, says its deputy general director for strategy and alliances, Giorgio Callegari.
Speaking to FlightGlobal at the World Routes conference in Barcelona on 24 September, Callegari says the Russian flag carrier has a policy of phasing out aircraft once they reach six years of age. It is currently determining how it will replace Boeing 737-800s and Airbus A320s that entered the fleet three to four years ago, given that new-generation Max and Neo narrowbodies are available as potential replacements.
"You cannot just add aircraft from the current generation, you have to look at the new generation," he says, adding: "It is true that there is a generational gap because there will be the 737 Max coming, there will be the Airbus A320neos coming in and therefore we will be looking at the narrowbody refleeting we will have to have a rethink in the way we approach manufacturers."
Callegari says the Moscow-based carrier has been growing its fleet at a "significant pace" of around 10% each year for the past five years, but has also sought to keep a focus on "simplifying our fleet" and was also "restructuring a lot of [its] companies".
He says that Aeroflot was not necessarily going to "go for another fleet" type, but equally it was not ruling it out.
"First we need to decide and determine the size of the fleet for the next narrowbody generation, and then once we have determined that we will be able to choose the best approach in terms of acquiring that fleet," he says.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the Russian carrier has a fleet of 198 in-service aircraft, consisting of 69 A320s in service, with one in storage; 36 A321s in service with two in storage; 22 A330s in service; and 14 A350s on order.
It has a further 30 Boeing 737s in service with another 19 on order; 22 Boeing 787s on order; and 16 777s in service with six on order. It also has 25 Sukhoi Superjets in service, with six in storage and 19 on order.
Whatever future fleet decisions are made, Callegari says the Russian airline plans to lease the the majority of its aircraft. It is, however, considering changing the mix of operating and finance leases it has.
Callegari reiterates that Aeroflot has cancelled its order for 22 787s, despite Flight Fleets Analyzer data reflecting Boeing’s order tracker to the start of September, which shows the aircraft on order to the flag carrier.
He welcomes plans by Russia’s United Engine Corporation and China's commercial aircraft engine firm AECC to jointly develop a long-haul aircraft, saying: "We said very clearly competition among manufacturers is welcome, especially when the aircraft being produced are high-quality and innovative."
Callegari says it is still "too early" for Aeroflot to be invited by the two manufacturers to become involved in the concept development phase.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
