Russia's Aeroflot named the world’s most punctual mainline airline in August 2021

Aeroflot topped August 2021 on-time performance ranking among mainline airlines globally. 

In August, Aeroflot operated 92% of flights on-time, according to Monthly On-Time Performance Report released by Cirium, a global provider of aviation data for the travel industry. Besides, Aeroflot has retained its position as the most punctual mainline airline in Europe for the second month running.

Cirium obtains data from hundreds of unique sources and tracks over 100,000 flights daily to report on the on-time performance of airlines and airports.

This month, Cirium has re-initiated its coverage of the global airline category, which was suspended with the onset of the pandemic. This is a sign of a return to normalcy for the world’s airlines, as Cirium’s experts outlined.

Aeroflot has consistently improved on-time performance through efficient measures, including strict implementation of flight boarding regulations. Future plans include innovations based on the latest digital technologies, such as biometric controls, that will significantly accelerate pre-flight airport procedures for passengers.

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Aeroflot and Russian Post expand cooperation to ramp up airmail transportation

Aeroflot and Russian Post have expanded cooperation to increase mail volumes transported by air. A memorandum to seal the deal was signed by CEOs of the two Companies Mikhail Poluboyarinov and Maksim Akimov during the Eastern Economic Forum.

Aeroflot and Russian Post look to speed up and facilitate mail delivery, ramp up airmail volumes, primarily in online orders shipment segment.  

The companies are set to boost economic efficiency of transportation through expanding  international postal exchange offices in Sheremetyevo and other Russian airports. To achieve this the Companies plan to enhance and modernize the facilities, introduce new technologies to speed up international mail handling and launch joint transit operations.

Aeroflot and Russian Post look to expand the geography of airmail transportation as part of interline agreements of PJSC Aeroflot. Thus, mail can be transported on aircraft operated by Aeroflot’s partner airlines to points not serviced by Aeroflot’s own flights.

Aeroflot to launch service to Sri Lanka next month......

Ticket sales are going well for Aeroflot's new direct service between Moscow – Colombo, Sri Lanka which starts on 2nd September.  

 

Flights will be operated on comfortable widebody Airbus A330-300 aircraft equipped with a multimedia in-flight entertainment system and will operate on Thursday and Saturday, leaving at 23:40 and landing at 10:50 the next morning.  The return schedule sees the flights departing at 23:55 on Friday and Sunday, landing in Moscow at 06:50 the following morning. 

Colombo is a major city and the de facto capital of Sri Lanka. Popular resorts located in close proximity to the city attract tourists. Colombo has a good infrastructure and many unique sights as the city’s development was shaped by various cultures that dominated here throughout successive epochs. All Sri Lankan national parks are now open after a prolonged shutdown.

Russian citizens can enter the territory of Sri Lanka, having previously issued an electronic visa. Travel will require a negative test for COVID-19 in English, taken no earlier than 72 hours before departure. A repeated test must be passed upon arrival at the destination airport.

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Russian airline Aeroflot shows off retrofitted Boeing 777

The leading Russian airline, Aeroflot has unveiled its first long-range Boeing 777 aircraft with a fresh new retrofitted cabin. The jet has been configured to accommodate 427 passengers, with 28 Super Diamond NG seats equipped with sliding doors in Business class, 24 seats in Comfort class and 375 seats in Economy class. 

All seats come in high-quality jacquard upholstery. The seat pitch in Economy class averages 80 cm, in Comfort class – 96 cm. Business-class passengers can enjoy individual suites providing a high level of privacy.  Sliding doors and an extra armrest turn a seat in a private suite fitted with an 18.5-inch HD monitor and 2-metre full-flat bed.

Passengers travelling in all classes of service can enjoy the latest generation Panasonic Ex3  multimedia in-flight entertainment system featuring new film releases and classical movies, audiobooks, games, children’s channel, flight map with city guides (same as onboard А350). High-speed Internet access (up to 30 Мb/sec)* is available onboard.

The innovative cabin and seat design ensure a premium level of Aeroflot’s travel product. The airline will operate the retrofitted Boeing 777 on all popular international and domestic routes, including Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, Mahe, Delhi, Yerevan, Bishkek, Baku, Tashkent, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. By end of 2021, Aeroflot will refurbish the cabin interior on two more aircraft.

Aeroflot operates one of the youngest fleets globally. As of August 2021, the airline has 202 aircraft, 20 of which are long-range Boeing 777-300ERs.

*extra charge applicable

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Sheremetyevo Is Now the Busiest and Most Punctual Airport in Europe

Sheremetyevo International Airport became the busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic for the first time in its history in June, according to research conducted by the analytical portal airserviceone.com. 

Effective cooperation between the airport, airlines and handling operator has allowed for produced a speedy recovery of air traffic while ensuring punctuality of flight departures. Sheremetyevo was the first airport in Russia to develop and implement a system of joint decision-making with airlines, which has produced prompt delivery of services, short turnaround time for aircraft, minimized taxiing time and reduced costs for airlines.

Sheremetyevo also retained its status as the most punctual airport on the continent and the second-most punctual in the world in the Global Airports category for the second consecutive month, according to the Cirium aviation agency. The punctuality index for departures in June was 94.12%.

Sheremetyevo served 2.98 million passengers in June, exceeding the level of June 2020 by 378.4%. June passenger traffic on domestic airlines exceeded that of June 2019 by 8%.

At the end of 2020, Sheremetyevo was recognized by the ASQ research program of the Airports Council International (ACI) as the best among the largest airports in Europe (more than 40 million passengers annually) in quality of services. Sheremetyevo maintains its leadership in this category for the third consecutive year.

Sheremetyevo Airport is among the TOP-5 airport hubs in Europe, the largest Russian airport in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. In 2020, the airport served 19 million 784 thousand passengers.

Sheremetyevo is the best airport in terms of quality of services in Europe, the absolute world leader in punctuality of flights, the recipient of the highest 5-star Skytrax rating.

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Aeroflot changes rules and procedures for transporting animals

Aeroflot changes rules and procedures for transporting animals

Aeroflot has introduced changes to rules and procedures for transporting animals. The new regulations are aimed to ensure a comfortable and safe flight for all categories of passengers.

The changes have been the result of the work of an expert group for the enhancement of service of animal carriage.

The expert group established in autumn 2020 comprised representatives of cynological and felinological associations, aviation experts as well as LLC “Sheremetyevo Handling” and heads of a number of the airline’s departments.

According to the new rules, the number of pets allowed for transportation by one passenger has been increased from one to three.

Two adult animals (6+ months) can be carried in one pet container provided that their weight does not exceed 8 kg.

3.6 million passengers flew with Aeroflot airlines during May.

 

Aeroflot, the Russian airline group carried 3.6 million passengers during the month of May this year, which is 25% down from pre-covid times in 2019 but up just over 12% on last year's number. 

Aeroflot Group’s passenger load factor was 75.8%, a 29.9% increase year-on-year and Pobeda Airlines carried 1.2 million passengers, passenger load factor was 93.8%.

May 2021 Operating Highlights compared to May 2020 and 2019

Aeroflot Group airlines: All flights

	Aeroflot	Pobeda	Rossiya	Total
Passengers carried, thousand PAX	1,612.2	1,237.4	742.2	3,591.8
Change vs. 2020, %	7.8х	-	10.0х	12.8х
Change vs. 2019, %	(46.0%)	43.7%	(25.7%)	(25.8%)
Available Seat Kilometres, mn	5,636.1	2,096.4	2,253.3	9,985.8
Change vs. 2020, %	4.9х	-	6.0х	6.6х
Change vs. 2019, %	(48.5%)	26.6%	(35.1%)	(37.9%)
Passenger load factor, %	68.8%	93.8%	76.6%	75.8%
Change vs. 2020, %	24.7 p.p.	-	25.1 p.p.	29.9 p.p.
Change vs. 2019, %	(5.4 p.p.)	2.5 p.p.	(3.3 p.p.)	(1.4 p.p.)
Cargo and mail carried, tonnes	12,392.6	5,005.3	3,486.1	20,884.1
Change vs. 2020, %	1.2х	-	2.5х	1.8х
Change vs. 2019, %	(28.4%)	18.6%	33.2%	(13.5%)

 

Aeroflot’s tableware design wins top award

 Photos provided by Mikhail Chistiakov and Yulia Chistiakova

                                         Aeroflot’s aeroplane tableware developed by designers Mikhail Chistiakov and Yulia Chistiakova has won a prestigious Red Dot Award. The design award is presented annually by the design centre at Essen, Germany. 

As part of the international Red Dot Design Award 2021Skopkar tableware design concept was awarded in the Tableware category. The respectable jury, which included celebrated designers from different countries, appreciated the sense of style demonstrated by the leading Russian airline. In-flight catering is one of Aeroflot’s service strong points.  

The whole tableware range was recognized with the award, including porcelain, cutlery, glassware, textiles and paper products. The new design was gradually rolled out across fleet to be completed by late 2019. The tableware sets are now available on all of the airline’s flights.

The jury emphasized the perfectly balanced tableware concept designed to meet the numerous requirements of the civil aviation. These encompass style continuity, compact size, functionality.

 Photos provided by Mikhail Chistiakov and Yulia Chistiakova

The experts outlined that Aeroflot’s tableware concept showcases a contemporary reinterpretation of the Russian table culture with a traditional appeal.  The design is based on the image of a Russian wooden scoop called skopkar, and a traditional colourful wooden spoon was transformed into an elegant metal spoon preserving its distinctive tip.

Red Dot Design Award is an international design competition established by the North Rhine –Westphalia Design centre at Essen. The accolade recognizes designers and manufacturers for best consumer product designs. Red Dot Design Award has become one of the most sought-after marks of quality for good design in Europe. Over 6,000 products from all over the world run the awards.

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Aeroflot extends elite level status for Aeroflot Bonus members

 

Aeroflot has extended the elite level status for members of its Aeroflot Bonus frequent flyer programme. The decision is aimed at rewarding the loyalty of Aeroflot frequent fliers who are forced to limit travel in the current environment and are therefore accumulating fewer Aeroflot Bonus miles.

Aeroflot Bonus members will get all necessary updates on status extension from Aeroflot Bonus e-mail newsletter. Sign up in your Aeroflot Bonus account to receive latest news on the airline’s special offers and partners’ promotions.

Aeroflot is Russia’s flagship carrier which ranks among the 20 largest airlines globally and a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance.

Aeroflot adds first A320neo to fleet

Photo Aeroflot

Last week, the Russian airline Aeroflot has received its first Airbus А320neo, becoming a new operator of the aircraft type in Russia. The A320neo cabin design has a lot in common with that of Airbus A350, which has been operated by Aeroflot from March 2020. The A320neo bears the name of Anatoly Dobrynin, an outstanding Soviet and Russian diplomat.

The Airbus A320neo will provide a new level of comfort for Aeroflot passengers. The Airbus A320 family aircraft features the widest and most spacious cabin among narrow-body airliners. The A320neo is configured with 12 Business class seats and 144 Economy class seats. The seat pitch of business class seats is 96.5 cm, that of economy class seats is up to 76.2 сm.

Photo Aeroflot

Aeroflot’s hub grand opening celebrated in Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk region Governor Alexander Uss and Mikhail Poluboyarinov, CEO of Aeroflot took part in the grand opening of Aeroflot’s hub at Krasnoyarsk D.A. Hvorostovsky International Airport on Monday.

The honoured guests of the ceremony toured the Hub Control Centre launched by Aeroflot as well as check-in and baggage claim areas. The attendees familiarized themselves with aircraft servicing procedures and saw Aeroflot’s newest A321neo. 

On 1 June 2021, Aeroflot will launch regular flights programme to Russian cities from Krasnoyarsk. SU 2878 service from Krasnoyarsk to Blagoveshchensk will be the inaugural flight of the programme. Initially, the schedule of direct flights from Krasnoyarsk will include five points: Krasnodar, Simferopol, Blagoveshchensk, Sochi, Irkutsk. New domestic and international destinations will later be added to the airline’s route network.

More than 100,000 Aeroflot passengers are expected to use the hub in the summer season. Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be based at Krasnoyarsk airport. Krasnoyarsk airport’s terminal complex is designed to serve 1300 departing passengers per hour.

First of four A320neo family Aircraft delivered to Aeroflot with CDB Aviation

The Russian airline Aeroflot took delivery of the first of four a new A320neo family aircraft on 14th May at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse, France. These aircraft are on long term lease from CDB Aviation, a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited.

The remaining three deliveries include two additional A320neos and one A321neo, which will be received by the carrier later in May.

“We are pleased to expand our strategic relationship between Aeroflot and CDB Aviation,” noted Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation Chief Commercial Officer, adding that “these modern aircraft will deliver the right mix of operational efficiency and flexibility” to support Aeroflot’s fleet optimization as the carrier works towards its Strategy 2028 and seizes on opportunities in the Russian and international air transportation markets.

The neos will support Aeroflot’s strategic efforts to retrench its leading position in key markets on the domestic network, while enhancing its fleet with the latest technology narrowbody aircraft offering higher capacity and improved fuel-efficiency.

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Aeroflot becomes the official carrier of St.Petersburg International Economic Forum 2021

Aeroflot will traditionally be the official carrier of St.Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2021. On the days of the event, Airbus A350, the company’s most modern long-haul aircraft will operate some flights on the Moscow – Saint-Petersburg route.

"St.Petersburg International Economic Forum is one of the key high-profile business events of the year. Aeroflot is both the official carrier and a regular participant of the Forum. SPIEF, which has been held for almost a quarter of a century, provides perfect opportunities to share best practices, discuss new approaches and effective solutions. On the days of the Forum, to ensure comfort of the participants some flights on the Moscow – Saint-Petersburg route will be operated on our newest flagship A350 aircraft. I hope the SPIEF guests will appreciate the new level of comfort of Aeroflot’s most modern aircraft", said Mikhail Poluboyarinov, CEO of Aeroflot.

Aeroflot launches an extensive programme to support mass vaccination campaign - “Miles for Vaccination” programme

 Aeroflot has launched a wide incentive programme for those

vaccinated against COVID-19.

Photo Emchenko_ru

The first 10,000 passengers - members of the carrier’s frequent flyer program Aeroflot Bonus, who will get vaccinated during the campaign and take a flight, will be eligible to receive 10,000 miles to their account.    

Aeroflot is Russia’s flagship carrier and a proud member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance and ranks among the 20 largest airlines globally.

In 2020, Aeroflot carried 14.6 million passengers (30.2 million passengers as Aeroflot Group including subsidiaries).  Overall, 100,000,000 miles will be granted to the participants as part of “Miles for Vaccination” programme. 

«A large-scale vaccination campaign is underway in Russia. Achieving herd immunity is our common responsibility. Promoting vaccination is our contribution to facilitate a full-fledged recovery of air transportation and provide convenience and comfort to our passengers», said Mikhail Poluboyarinov, CEO of Aeroflot.  «We’ve launched the programme as part of the federal initiative to encourage mass vaccination. We are committed to undertake further steps to protect our employees’ and passengers’ health, and, eventually, to stop the COVID-19 pandemic».

Aeroflot launches inter-regional flights programme with a focus on leisure destinations; adds flight frequencies to Southern Russia from Moscow

Aeroflot has launched an extensive programme of regional flights bypassing Moscow to leisure destinations as well as increasing flight frequencies from Moscow to points in the South of Russia.  

Aeroflot has launched direct services from 13 Russian cities to Black Sea resorts (Anapa, Sochi, Simferopol)  as well as to Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don. The 13 cities include Arkhangelsk, Chelyabinsk, Samara, Kazan, Murmansk, Novosibirsk, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Tyumen, Ufa, Orenburg, Syktyvkar, Surgut. Tickets are available for purchase.

From 1 June, Aeroflot will open direct flights from Krasnoyarsk to Krasnodar, Simferopol, Sochi and Blagoveshchensk. 

Russian airline group given 'stable' outlook

 Russian rating agency Expert RA has assigned PJSC Aeroflot a credit rating of ruAA- with stable outlook. It is the first credit rating assigned to the Company by the Russian credit agency on a national scale.

In its release, Expert RA highlighted the unprecedented impact of the pandemic on aviation and Aeroflot Group’s operations, as well as the fact that "the Company's operating results for 2020 are better compared to its global peers due to a faster recovery of the domestic market and partial reopening of international flights in the summer season".

The rating agency positively assessed Company's actions to improve liquidity: "in addition to optimizing its investment program and restructuring lease payments in 2020, Aeroflot Group conducted public equity offering in October 2020 and raised 80 billion rubles."

The assigned rating also reflects the systemic importance of the Company, its role in servicing social routes to the Russian Far East and utilization of locally produced aircraft.

Andrey Chikhanchin, Aeroflot Deputy CEO for Commerce and Finance, commented: “Credit rating on the national scale from Expert RA improves Aeroflot's capability to raise debt financing, which is especially important in the current pandemic environment.”

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Aeroflot issues latest results

The Russian airline group Aeroflot has released details of its operating results for the month of March, showing just a 5.9% drop in passenger numbers compared to last year.

Some of the key highlights include: 

·         Aeroflot Group carried 2.8 million passengers, 5.9% down year-on-year;

·         2.4 million passengers carried in domestic segment, 19.4% up year-on-year;

·         Group’s RPK decreased by 22.7% year-on-year, ASK decreased by 40.9% year-on-year;

·         Aeroflot Group’s passenger load factor was 82.8%, a 19.5% increase year-on-year;

·         Pobeda Airlines carried 982.3 thousands passengers, a year-on-year increase of 31.3%.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

In the three months of the year and March 2020, operating results were affected by the dynamics of demand and significant flight restrictions imposed amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.

In March 2021, Aeroflot Group continued to restore its domestic traffic volumes and partially restore international flights. In addition to flights to the United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Egypt, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Japan, Serbia, Finland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, India, based on regulatory approval flights to the Seychelles were opened.

In April air travel with Turkey was suspended following a decision of the operational headquarters of Russia.  In general, international traffic remained significantly limited.

Aeroflot launches flights to Gorno-Altaysk

From 29 April, Aeroflot will launch flights to Gorno-Altaysk. In May, Sheremetyevo -–Gorno-Altaysk – Sheremetyevo services will be operated daily, and from June, the flight frequency will increase to ten weekly.

Flights will be operated on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Economy class passengers can enjoy wireless in-flight entertainment system using their own devices to connect to onboard Wi-Fi. Business class cabin is equipped with wide seatback screens featuring the IFE content of over 200 Russian and international films, including the latest releases.

Aeroflot has considerably enhanced accessibility of one the most popular domestic tourism destinations. Altai is in top-5 most visited Russian regions.  In 2020, the number of tourists to the Altai Republic reached two million people, double the arrivals in the previous years.

Five picturesque sites in the Altai region are on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the “Golden Mountains of Altai”. Altai Nature Reserve was established to protect beautiful and crystal-clear Lake Teletskoe, Ukok Plateau, a sacred place for the Altai people. Siberia’s highest mountain Belukha (4,506 m) is located in Katun Nature Reserve.

Aeroflot to get a 777-300ER aircraft named after Sergei Korolev

Aeroflot's new wide-body Boeing 777-300ER will be named after Sergei Korolev. The aircraft will be delivered in May 2021.

           The name of Sergei Korolev was previously borne by the Aeroflot aircraft, which was retired in 2018. The decision is timed to the anniversary of the first manned space flight. On April 12, 2021, Russia broadly celebrates the 60th anniversary of this achievement, made possible by Sergei Korolev. Under his leadership, the launch of the first satellite and the flight of the first cosmonaut of the planet Yuri Gagarin took place.

 “Our airline has a long tradition of naming planes after great compatriots,” said Mikhail Poluboyarinov, CEO of Aeroflot. “This allows us to preserve the memory of outstanding personalities and pay tribute to their merits. We are glad to have the opportunity to perpetuate the contribution of Sergei Korolev to the formation and development of the aerospace industry. "

Aeroflot puts into operation a new hangar to service aircraft

Aeroflot puts into operation a new hangar to service aircraft

 Aeroflot has put into operation a new 15,000-square-meter hangar. All types of Western- and Russian-built aircraft will be serviced there.

The hangar is located in the Northern Terminal Complex of Sheremetyevo International Airport. The hangar comprises three scheduled and unscheduled maintenance workshops, two cabin interior maintenance workshops, aircraft and component repair workshop. The complex houses two storage facilities for spare parts, materials, tools and equipment. The office space of the building will be occupied by the technical control division, the planning and priorities coordination division, and Chief Engineer’s Office.