As Airbus prepares to deliver S7's first A320neo, the manufacturer is looking to expand its market share in Russia against a "diminished force" from rival Boeing, says an Airbus executive.
Airbus is displaying an A350-900 in the MAKS static display, highlight the company's Russian fleet that recently ticked past the 300 mark with the deliveries of a new A321neo to Red Wings and used A330s to Vim Avia and Nordwind.
In all, 10 Russian carriers now operate Airbus aircraft, says Airbus executive vice-president for Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific Christopher Buckley.
Airbus remains in talks with Aeroflot about potentially doubling the flag carrier's order for 14 A350-900s.
"We're talking to them but all these things take a little time," says Buckley.
In April, Boeing had revealed plans to display the 737 Max 9 at the MAKS air show. Local communicators had even developed a special Twitter hash tag to promote the re-engined single-aisle's debut in the Russian market, but ultimately the company did not bring an aircraft to display at the show. Aeroflot cancelled an order for 22 787s two years ago and, a few months later, Transaero went bankrupt and voided several orders for Boeing aircraft, including four 747-8s that only recently were erased from the backlog.
Airbus, meanwhile, is not counting on rising political tensions and part of its marketing strategy in Russia, Buckley says.
"We'll never under-estimate Boeing," he says. "They are a diminished force but I think we see a lot of additional perspectives in the future. We just see the Russian airlines today and the way they operate. They're just going to go out and get the best possible equipment for what they want to do. I don't think there will be too interrupted by political forces."
Source: Cirium Dashboard
