Bashkirsky Airlines signs up with Aeroflot

Published: 2/25/2000

Aeroflot and Bashkirsky Airlines (BAL) have signed a code sharing agreement, covering the route between Moscow and Ufa. The first flight under the agreement is scheduled for 28th February on an Aeroflot Boeing-737. According to reports, the agreement should allow BAL to be competitive and give its customers a better quality of service as well as direct connections with Aeroflot international flights. Chelyabinsk ,Vnukovo and Domodedovo airlines all recently expressed interest in bidding for licences for the Ufa-Moscow route, on which BAL is currently the only carrier. The Aeroflot move could be considered rather a defensive move, so as to keep the others at bay. BAL and Ufa airport were recently split and the new management has been making strenuous efforts to improve the attractiveness of the airport, through the construction of an international terminal. Its completion is, however, being hindered by a shortage of funds and may prove unnecessary if the BAL is to be another addition to the Aeroflot 'hub and spoke' agreements. The Moscow-based carrier has signed a number of these agreements over the last few months. The airline is also investing in upgraded aircraft and, last year, acquired two refurbished Tu-154Ms from Czech Airlines, with regional government funding, in addition to refurbishing its fleet of Tu-154Bs - reportedly 11 aircraft - for $6m Associated articles www.concise.org 9th November 1999; 16th November 1999;12th December 1999;12th January 2000

Article ID: 1476