Aeroflot bucks the trend for caution

AEROFLOT has received the first of 10 Airbus 330-200s, confidently dismissing other carriers concern for the global economy. There is a wide-spread scaling back on fleet development and investment among carriers around the world.

During the delivery ceremony at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, Aeroflot’s chief executive officer, Valery Okulov, stressed the Russian airline’s aircraft expansion objectives, which aim to increase its fleet by 144 per cent.

“Our airline is certainly an exception to the rule in the current economic environment. We are weathering any challenges and focus on the overriding economic benefits of a younger and more modern fleet,” said Okulov.

“An important key to our expansion programme is strong and longstanding relationships with business partners, such as Airbus and Rolls Royce. Whereas the A320 is the backbone of our regional and medium-haul route network, the new A330s are a strategic investment into our future long-haul product offering,” said Okulov.

“There is an enormous demand potential for air travel from Russia, the CIS and Europe to Asia and it is our aim to build and strengthen our presence in this key market. Geographically speaking, Moscow is ideally positioned between east and west and combined with the new modern Terminal 3, will provide the optimum stop-off point for transit to Asia,” concluded Okulov.