Siberia Airlines is undertaking a comprehensive review of its operations and is studying the eventual addition of new aircraft to replace its ageing Russian fleet.
The airline operates seven Ilyushin Il-86 widebodies, along with 16 Tupolev Tu-154 narrowbodies (three of which are leased to Iran). Its nine Antonov turboprops have been grounded.
The airline is considering the acquisition of Boeing or Airbus aircraft, as well as "more modern" regional types, to restart its feeder network. It is also "seriously" considering the acquisition of two test aircraft Antonov An-38 turboprops stored at the factory at Ob, near Novosibirsk.
New general director Vladislav Filev has instigated a complete re-organisation, which should be completed by June, with the aim of putting the carrier on a sound footing and starting with the establishment of its home base at Tolmachevo Airport, Novosibirsk, as its main operating hub. The airline operates scheduled services to 19 Russian destinations as well as Germany, Israel and Turkey, and charter flights to various international destinations. Filev has also identified cargo as an underexploited business opportunity.
The airline has retained the services of UK-based Atlas Project Management to help it in restructuring and with financing. In 1997 the airline made an operating loss of $2 million and faces $10 million in penalties incurred by the previous management.
Source: Flight International
