Airbus in Russia

Russia remains a key Airbus strategic partner for both commercial and industrial reasons. The region has a long history in aeronautics and is among the most important civil aviation markets in the world. Today, some 170 Airbus aircraft are being operated in the fleets of nine Russian carriers, with more than 80 new jetliners to be delivered in the coming years. 

Airbus established its initial relationship with Russia at the airline level in 1991 when Russian authorities certified the A310 – representing a milestone first for Western-built aircraft. The jetliner entered service in Russia with national carrier Aeroflot in 1992, which also became the first Russian airline to operate the A320 Family (beginning in 2003) and the A330 (from 2008).  Aeroflot received its 100th Airbus jetliner in October 2012, taking delivery of an A330-300.

The company’s A320 Family quickly gained popularity among Russian airlines following the single-aisle product line’s commercial service entry in the region during 2003. Its high fuel efficiency, unprecedented passenger comfort, lower operating costs and faster turn-around times made the family a hit with many Russian carriers: more than 75 A320 Family jetliners are in the Aeroflot fleet, while S7 operates 35 aircraft and Ural Airlines flies 24 A320s and A321s – based on May 2012 figures. 

In December 2011, Transaero Airlines became the first Russian carrier to order Airbus’ eco-efficient A320neo (neo engine option) variant, firming up a memorandum of understanding for eight aircraft signed earlier in the year. As part of Transaero’s expansion strategy and fleet renewal programme, these jetliners are planned for operation on the carrier’s extended medium-haul network of domestic and international routes.

Transaero also is the first customer in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe to select Airbus’ 21st century flagship A380, marked by a four-aircraft purchase agreement completed during June 2012. These double-deck jetliners are planned for operation on Transaero’s long-range network of high density routes from Moscow, and are to be provided in a three-class cabin layout with seating for about 700 passengers.