P L A N E P I X . C H

Red Wings introduces Superjet fleet to establish Ekaterinburg hub

October 23, 2020 | Source: FlightGlobal

Russian carrier Red Wings is aiming to build a regional hub at Ekaterinburg’s Koltsovo airport using a fleet of Sukhoi Superjet 100s.

Moscow-based Red Wings leased a Superjet from GTLK on 2 September, and another pair in the first few days of October.

It says the aircraft are being used for a "large-scale project" to connect Ekaterinburg to other domestic regions, enabling passengers to fly from Siberia and the Urals to central and southern Russia.

Since commencing the regional flights in mid-September, the airline has introduced services to nine cities, among them Nizhny Novgorod, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Makhachkala and Volgograd. Six of the nine routes have no competitors, the carrier says.

Red Wings has configured the Superjets with 100 seats in an all-economy layout.

"This project is based on a win-win principle," says Red Wings general director Evgeny Klyucharev. "It is an investment in the future restoration of demand for Russian air transport."

GTLK deputy director general Anton Korolev says the aircraft are being leased for 20 years, the “first time” such a long lease period has been agreed in the Russian market.

The lessor has specialised in supplying Superjets with state co-financing for the last five years, with 46 being delivered to domestic carriers. GTLK puts the total investment in the programme at nearly Rb94 billion as of October 2020.

"[Our] concessional leasing mechanism contributes to the development of the entire transport industry in Russia," says Korolev.

Red Wings is intending to expand the number of routes its serves from Ekaterinburg to 25 during 2021.

Klyucharev says the carrier intends to address the need to increase the proportion of flights bypassing the Moscow hub – the government has set a target of 50% – and to support the domestic aircraft production industry.

"Owing to their smaller capacity compared with other aircraft in our fleet, Superjets with 100 seats are ideal for this programme," he adds.

Russian airframer Irkut has taken over the Sukhoi Superjet 100 programme. High-level delegates visited the Irkut flight-test complex in Moscow Zhukovsky on 20 October, including a technical facility for the type. Red Wings pilots are being trained at the centre.

United Aircraft chief Yuri Slyusar claims Superjets transport more passengers in the country that all other models of regional jet.

"We are actively working to improve the aftersales support for the [Superjet]," he adds. "Our aim is to create a unified system of aftersales service for United Aircraft civil aircraft."

ГТЛК передала в лизинг авиакомпании Red Wings 2 самолета SSJ100

October 10, 2020 | Source: GTLK

ПАО "Государственная транспортная лизинговая компания" (ГТЛК) передало в лизинг авиакомпании Red Wings два самолета Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100).

Поставка воздушных судов состоялась в соответствии с заключенным в конце сентября контрактом в рамках реализации программы развития операционной аренды и финансового лизинга отечественных самолетов SSJ100 c государственным софинансированием. Акты о передаче были подписаны 6 и 9 октября.

"Мы осуществили уникальную сделку для рынка воздушной авиации в России. Впервые самолеты отечественного производства переданы в финансовый лизинг на такой длительный срок - 20 лет. ГТЛК использует новые подходы для достижения одной из своих базовых целей - модернизации и обновления отечественного воздушного флота", - отметил заместитель генерального директора ГТЛК по авиации Антон Королёв.

На сегодняшний день Red Wings располагает парком из трех самолетов SSJ100. Первый самолет SSJ100 был передан ГТЛК в операционную аренду авиакомпании 2 сентября 2020 года.

ГТЛК реализует программу лизинга отечественных самолетов SSJ100 c государственным софинансированием c 2015 года. На текущий момент по программе передано 46 воздушных судов SSJ100. Общий объем инвестиций в программу из бюджетных и внебюджетных источников на 01.10.2020 составил 93,6 млрд рублей.

Russia’s Red Wings starts transformation into role-model SSJ100 operator

September 11, 2020 | Source: Russian Aviation INSIDER

Russian carrier Red Wings (100% owned by United Aircraft Corporation through its leasing subsidiary Ilyushin Finance Company) has embarked on its ambitious project, which would see it transform into a “role-model operator of Russian-made aircraft” as per master-plan approved personally by the Russian president Vladimir Putin in May this year. The airline, which currently operates a fleet of 16 Airbus A320/321 aircraft from its Moscow Domodedovo base has recently taken delivery of its first of the batch of 60 Superjet 100 regional airliners and announced launch of several domestic routes from Yekaterinburg. The airline’ general director Evgeniy Klyucharev revealed details of the grandiose plan to Vedomosti business daily.

The first SSJ100 now based at Yekaterinburg’s Koltsovo airport will be joined by further two units of the type before the end of the month. These three aircraft are under leasing contract with State Transport Leasing Corporation (GTLK). Deliveries of the remaining 57 aircraft – four in 2020, 23 within 2021 and 30 before the end of 2024 – will be arranged by state-controlled Promsvyazbank and its leasing arm PSB Leasing.

REGIONAL HUBS

Surprisingly resembling earlier roadmaps for regional development of the nation’s flag carrier Aeroflot, Red Wings sees the market for its new fleet in unraveling hub operations from several of Russia’s busiest regional airports. Yekaterinburg was chosen for its appealing geographic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. The second on the list of preferences is Zhukovsky near Moscow, from where the airline is counting on launching international services. Within the next three to four years’ timeframe the airline is looking to base aircraft at Mineralnye Vody and Sochi (both popular year-round resorts), Saint Petersburg, Irkutsk (for its potential for service to China) and Russia’s European enclave Kaliningrad.

Until the end of 2020 Red Wings will offer nine routes from Yekaterinburg, and by 2023 the network will include 34 destinations served by a fleet of up to 20 SSJ100 and four or five Airbus A320 for the more popular and international flights.

BUOYED BY STATE SUPPORT

Red Wings’ financial risks in unraveling such large-scale operations are mitigated by hefty volumes of support from the government – from leasing graces to subsidized flights and direct support of SSJ100 operations.

The government allocates 140 million roubles for SSJ100 parts inventory and crew training, reveals Klyucharev. Further 199 million roubles will cover leasing payments for over a year. Almost all of the airline’s routes from Koltsovo are subsidized, so Red Wings is counting on reimbursement of between 200 and 300 million roubles already this year. Besides, being on the list of Russia’s ‘strategic enterprises’ the airline may count on loans covered by state guarantees.

NO RIVAL TO URAL AIRLINES

Thus, Red Wings is entering head-on competition with a privately-owned Ural Airlines, which has long been developing operations from Koltsovo and more recently from Zhukovsky with its Airbus A320 family fleet. At the same time, Red Wings is enjoying strong backing from the state. However, Klyucharev insists Ural Airlines is “no rival”. Red Wings’ business model will be radically different, he argues – “we are creating a transit regional hub, similar to Moscow airports” with one or two waves of connection flights.

HOPES ARE HIGH FOR SSJ100

According to Klyucharev, the delivery of six Airbus 320/321s planned initially for this year have been pushed off until spring of 2021 due to the pandemic-induced crisis. He is also warning the Russian industry that the excess capacities, which Russian airlines have redirected onto the domestic market whilst the international connections remain largely under ban, are only aggravation the situation. At the same time he refers to introducing seven SSJ100s before the end of this year as “a serious step in the airline’s development”. “It will help us take a more pronounced position on the market, enter the, so to say, elite league of Russian carriers. It will also help support the reputation of the Russian aerospace industry and will get us on track to being the launch customer of the Russian-made MC-21 narrowbody”, says Klyucharev.

In 2019 Red Wings with its fleet of 16 Airbus A320s carried 3.1 million passengers, ranking Russia’s ninth largest airline.

ГТЛК передала в эксплуатацию авиакомпании Red Wings самолет SSJ100

September 3, 2020 | Source: GTLK

В среду, 2 сентября, ПАО "Государственная транспортная лизинговая компания" (ГТЛК) передало в операционную аренду авиакомпании Red Wings, базирующейся в московском аэропорту "Домодедово", самолет Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100).

Поставка воздушного судна состоялась в рамках реализации программы развития операционной аренды и финансового лизинга отечественных самолетов SSJ100 c государственным софинансированием.

"ГТЛК продолжает работу по модернизации и обновлению отечественного воздушного флота. Механизм льготного лизинга ГТЛК способствует развитию всей транспортной отрасли России. Мы довольны взаимодействием с авиакомпанией Red Wings по этой сделке и рассчитываем на дальнейшее плодотворное сотрудничество", - подчеркнул заместитель генерального директора ГТЛК по авиации Антон Королёв.

ГТЛК реализует программу лизинга отечественных самолетов SSJ100 c государственным софинансированием c 2015 года. На текущий момент российским авиакомпаниям передано 44 воздушных судна SSJ100. Общий объем инвестиций в программу из бюджетных и внебюджетных источников на 01.09.2020 составил 91,6 млрд рублей.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft reclaims two SSJ 100s from Red Wings

April 13, 2016 | Source: Russian Aviation INSIDER

Russian carrier Red Wings will return two Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ 100), which it rented from Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) in the second half of 2015, to the OEM. Three more aircraft of the type will remain in its fleet.

The rental agreements were cancelled by SCAC’s initiative, Red Wings’ general director Yevgeniy Kliucharev confirmed to Russian Aviation Insider. Now the airline will have to downsize its flight and technical staff.

Red Wings will return aircraft with tail numbers RA-89008 (delivered in August 2015) and RA-89010 (delivered in November). "We have returned one of the aircraft, the one that has been based in Zhukovskiy since April 1. The second aircraft will be ferried to Ulyanovsk on April 17 to get repainted," Kliucharev said. He emphasized that the phasing out of the two aircraft will not affect the airline’s schedule, as the schedule had already been revised when two other aircraft were grounded for planned maintenance.

An industry source revealed that at least one of the two aircraft will be transfered to Yakutia Airlines within the framework of the refinancing project for Yakutia’s two SSJ 100s.

Three SSJ 100s that will presumably remain with Red Wings (tail numbers RA-89001, RA-89002 and RA-89021) were leased from the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK). The leasing company refused to comment on further operation of these aircraft.

Red Wings reaches new heights with SSJ 100

November 18, 2015 | Source: Russian Aviation INSIDER

Red Wings airlines claims it has achieved the best operational results for its fleet of five Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) aircraft, topping previous leader Interjet in operating efficiency, availability and reliability.

"The aircraft’s producer, SCAC, now acknowledges us as the best operator of the type in the world," Red Wings’ general director Evgeniy Klyucharev boasted during a press-conerence in Moscow. “We have a more intense fly schedule than the Mexican Interjet, and along with that we have reached better level of operational availability and reliability," he explained. In August an average aircraft flight time reached 287 hours, in September – 276 hours. However, the figure was lower in October, because the aircraft went in for base maintenance, Klyucharev admitted.

Interjet’s average monthly flight figure stands are 240-250 hours per aircraft. This flight time is a benchmark that makes SSJ100 operation commercially viable, Klyucharev emphasized.

Red Wings is currently working with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) on further modifications as one of the type’s leading operators. The airline is planning to double its SSJ100 fleet within next year under the contract with State Transport Leasing Company signed at Moscow Air Show MAKS-2015. A Letter of Intent implies an order for 15 SSJ100s to be delivered between 2015 and 2017.

The carrier, which also operates eight Tupolev Tu-204s, is in negotiations with the Ilyushin Finance Company over three Tu-214s, previously operated by Transaero and now reclaimed by the lessor. The aircraft may be used to expand the airline’s route network from Simferopol, a resort city in Crimea, to include as many Russian cities as possible, even the remote ones. They may also be handy on routes to Western and Central Siberia, Klyucharev said.

Red Wings is also intending to become one of the first customers for MC-21.

The airline’s top-manager explained, that Russian-built aircraft have become ever more commercially attractive throughout the year “because Russian OEMs operate in the ruble-zone.”

"That trend is confirmed by the fact that the Russian-built aircraft are back in the charter segment, which is extremely sensible to cost," Klyucharev observed. He also mentioned that costs associated with continued air worthiness increase by 8-10% annually due to inflation.

Red Wings traffic current forecasts for 2015 stand at 1.1 – 1.5 million passengers. The airline had to correct its ambitions after its extensive eight-destination charter program to Egypt launched in September was suspended with the flight ban to that country.

However, Klyucharev is still on the positive note, counting on a 20% YOY traffic growth at the end of 2015. The carrier reorganized its route network to include more leisure destinations in the South of Russia, such as Sochi and Simferopol. Demand on these destinations is expected to rise in the aftermath of collapse in other travel markets, including Egypt and Tunisia.

IFC, Red Wings to jointly promote SSJ 100 to foreign markets

August 25, 2015 | Source: Russian Aviation INSIDER

The Russian lessor Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) and Red Wings, a Vnukovo-based airline, are planning an unusual collaboration scheme to promote Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) airliners to foreign markets. Red Wings CEO Evgeny Klyucharev told Show Observer that airliners would be wet-leased to potential customers, complete with crew and maintenance support. The partners are currently in talks with three airlines, from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, which are expected to take up to two SSJ 100s each for a six-month period.

IFC CEO Alexander Rubtsov says the scheme will allow his company's potential customers to try out the type in operation on their existing routes before deciding to buy: "If the carriers are left happy with the aircraft’s performance, they will be able to take them from IFC under operating lease arrangements after the wet-lease period expires."

In parallel, IFC is looking to acquire 74% in Red Wings towards the carrier’s outstanding debt for the operation of the lessor’s two Tupolev Tu-204 narrowbodies. Red Wings would have to issue additional shares, after which its debt would be converted to stock. The possible transaction was discussed by the IFC board of directors in August, but several issues remain to be ironed out. If the deal takes place, IFC will have its own airline in addition to the subsidiary MRO provider IFC Technik.

Fourth Sukhoi Superjet 100 Joined Red Wings Fleet

July 31, 2015 | Source: SCAC

On July 31, 2015 the fourth Sukhoi Superjet 100 joined Red Wings Airlines fleet. The aircraft SSJ100 with tail number RA-89008 was delivered under to the agreement signed in early July this year for the delivery of two SSJ100 aircraft.

The second aircraft of this type will join Red Wings fleet by the end of 2015. Thus, the SSJ100 fleet in Red Wings will consist of five aircraft of this type.

Earlier the airline acquired three Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft as part of the rental agreement signed in October 2014 between Red Wings Airlines and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company.

Currently, the airline is operating three SSJ100 aircraft on the flights from Moscow to the Russian cities Makhachkala, Grozny, Kazan, Ufa, Nalchik, St.Petersburg, Nizhnekamsk, Kaliningrad, Ulianovsk City and Tivat in Montenegro. Red Wings is planning to continue expansion of the SSJ100 route network.

Since entry into service in early February this year, three SSJ100 in Red Wings fleet operated more than 3000 hours, while the aircraft has already transported more than 116 000 passengers. SSJ100 is being delivered to Red Wings in 93-seat two-class cabin configuration.

Red Wings Airlines is a Russian airline based in Moscow, it was founded in 1999. The Airline performs regular and charter domestic and international flights. Passenger traffic volume of Red Wings in 2014 totaled more than 1 million passengers.

Third Sukhoi Superjet 100 Joined Red Wings Fleet

April 2, 2015 | Source: SCAC

On April 2, 2015 the third Sukhoi Superjet 100 joined Red Wings Airlines fleet. The aircraft SSJ100 with tail number RA-89001 flew from the Delivery Centre of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company to Moscow Domodedovo Airport.

Currently, the airline is successfully operating two SSJ100 aircraft on the flights from Moscow to the Russian cities Makhachkala, Grozny, Ufa, Nalchik and Ulianovsk City.

Red Wings plans to expand the route network for SSJ100 to Gelendzhik, Saratov and other Russian cities, as well as to develop inter-regional flights.

Since entry into service in early February this year, two SSJ100 in Red Wings fleet operated more than 500 hours, while the aircraft has already transported more than 17 000 passengers.

In accordance with Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft Lease Agreement signed in October 2014 between Russian airline Red Wings and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, the leasing period of three SSJ100 shall be three years with possible extension. SSJ100 is being delivered to Red Wings in 93-seat two-class cabin configuration.

Red Wings Airlines is a Russian airline based in Moscow, it was founded in 1999. The Airline performs regular and charter domestic and international flights. Passenger traffic volume of Red Wings in 2014 totaled more than 1 million passengers.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 Delivered to a New Operator – Red Wings

January 19, 2015 | Source: SCAC

On January 19th, 2015 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft joined the fleet of the Russian airline – Red Wings. The airliner with a tail number RA-89021 was ferried from the Delivery Center of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company to Domodedovo International Airport – home base of the airline.

The aircraft has become the first from three SSJ100 to be delivered to the airline.

In just a couple of days the SSJ100 delivered to Red Wings will be put into operations to start flights from Moscow to Makhachkala and Grozny in the South of Russia.

Red Wings is planning to use SSJ100 to perform flights to other cities of Russia. SSJ100 in a flashy airline corporate style livery may be seen in Ufa, Sochi, Mineralnye Vody and some other cities.

In accordance with Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft Lease Agreement signed in October 2014 between Russian airline Red Wings and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, the leasing period of three SSJ100 shall be three years with possible extension. SSJ100 is being delivered to Red Wings in 93-seat two-class cabin configuration.

Red Wings Airlines is a Russian airline based in Moscow, it was founded in 1999. The Airline performs regular and charter domestic and international flights. Passenger traffic volume of Red Wings in 2014 totaled more than 1 million passengers.

Red Wings Selects Sukhoi Superjet 100

October 8, 2014 | Source: SCAC

On October 8, 2014 a rental agreement for three Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft was signed between the Russian airline Red Wings and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company.

The aircraft will be handed over to the airline by the end of 2014 for one year with the possibility of extension. Red Wings airline plans to operate Sukhoi Superjet 100 in Russia: from Moscow to Ufa, Makhachkala, Chelyabinsk, Sochi and Mineralnye Vody.

"The aircraft operated by the airline featuring fully Russian air fleet will become the new page for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 project», noted Ilya Tarasenko, the President of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company. «Among the advantages of Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft to Red Wings can be noted an opportunity to develop city-pair markets until demand for them becomes appropriate to put on these routes sing-aisle aircraft with higher capacity, which the airline already has", he said.

Substitution, if necessary, of larger seating capacity aircraft operated with low passenger load factor during seasonal downturns. Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft allows to substitute higher capacity aircraft both for a long period in a "low" season and during the day without compromising passenger comfort.

"Operations of aircraft such as the Sukhoi Superjet 100 will enforce the opportunities for Red Wings to enter into regional transportation market which is new for the airline”, noted Evgeny Klyucharev CEO of Red Wings airline. “The signing of the rental agreement for Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft marked the beginning of the first phase of the program implementing a new type of aircraft in the fleet of Red Wings, as we plan to increase the number of Sukhoi Superjet 100 to fifteen by 2017. At the same time, we remain committed to our strategy of flights operated by the Russian-built aircraft", he concluded.

Red Wings Airlines – a Russian airline based in Moscow, was established in 1999. The airline operates scheduled and charter flights in Russia and abroad. It is expected that passenger traffic of Red Wings in 2014 will total about one million passengers.