MOSCOW- Russian flag carrier Aeroflot (SU) Airlines Group has finalized a financial leasing agreement with Aviakapital-Servis for a total of 52 aircraft, which represents the initial portion of a larger deal announced over a year ago involving more than 300 jets.
The agreement primarily focuses on procuring six Yakovlev MC-21-310 aircraft for Aeroflot, 12 MC-21-310s, and 34 Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) aircraft for Rossiya.
Aeroflot Lease 50 Russian Jets
Aviakapital-Servis had previously placed an order for MC-21 aircraft, committing to acquiring up to 85 of them back in 2011.
Originally, Aeroflot Group had intended to lease 50 aircraft from this order, with a significant portion being the MC-21-300 variant, equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1400G engines.
However, due to international sanctions stemming from the Ukrainian conflict, only the Russian-powered MC-21-310, featuring Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines, remains available.
Deliveries of the MC-21 aircraft, which were initially scheduled to commence in 2020, have faced delays due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical disruptions.
Fleet Restructuring
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aeroflot Group had been engaged in a restructuring process in which Rossiya was designated to focus on the operation of Russian-built aircraft. At the same time, Aeroflot would primarily operate foreign-supplied aircraft.
As part of this strategy, Aeroflot transferred a significant number of Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) aircraft to Rossiya.
However, during an economic forum held in Vladivostok last year, Aeroflot Group entered into an agreement outlining plans to acquire a total of 339 Russian-built aircraft. This procurement included 210 MC-21-310s, 89 Sukhoi Superjet 100s, and 40 Tupolev Tu-214s.
The new leasing agreement was announced during this year’s Vladivostok event.
“These contracts mark the initial steps within the framework of the 339-aircraft agreement. This serves the interests of Aeroflot Group,” stated Sergei Chemezov, the head of state technology firm Rostec.
CEO Insights
Sergei Aleksandrovsky, the CEO of Aeroflot, described the leasing agreement with Aviakapital-Servis as a logical continuation of the airline’s collaboration with United Aircraft, an aerospace company.
He added, “The document we signed at the forum brings Aeroflot Group closer to a long-awaited event – the introduction of modern domestically-produced aircraft into our fleet. These new Russian airliners will enable Aeroflot to execute an updated strategy effectively and continue its growth and development.”
Aeroflot Group clarified that the leasing arrangement with Aviakapital-Servis is being carried out as part of a government-approved program for the acquisition of domestic aircraft. The delivery of the 52 aircraft is planned to take place by 2025.
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