Centre-Avia begins operations with Bykovo fleet

Published: 3/15/2000

A new Russian airline, Centre-Avia, announced in March 1999, has started operating regular flights on the routes Moscow-Magnitogorsk and Moscow-Volgograd. Aviatechnologia, NPO Aviatechnologia and Bykovo Aviation Repair Plant have set up the airline. These, in turn, form part of AT Alliance: a non-commercial partnership of aviation and metallurgy companies. The new airline has been spun out of Bykovo Avia, the air enterprise operating out of Bykovo Airport, which was split into two entities in December 1999. In February 2000, it was granted licences by the FSVT to operate the two routes. The creation of the airline was originally mooted back in March 1999.The new airline is headed by General Director Alexander Romanov, whi formerly held that position at Vnukovo Airlines. Centre-Avia also intends to launch flights on the route Moscow-Anapa, for which it has also been granted a licence. The airline expects high summer traffic on this route and states that it will also maintain a winter schedule, in order to preserve its licence. Future planned routes include Moscow-Ukhta and from Ukhta to several northern cities, such as Yugansk and Tyumen. It considers that the 130 seat Yak 42 is well suited to the current low volume of traffic and allows flexibility on cost, in contrast to the operation of large aircraft with very low load factors. International flights, specifically to Germany, are also being considered. These could operate out of Bykovo Airport, which is in the process of acquiring international status, but Centre-Avia claims it has not ruled out the possibility of using other Moscow options. The new airline has inherited the Bykovo Avia's fleet, comprising 17 Yak-42s, three Yak-40s (including two VIP versions, which can also be used for cargo) and one An-24. The development of Bykovo Airport, seems at odds with current government policy, which has been seeking to reduce Moscow's capacity, rather than increasing it. Bykovo Airport is reported to handle only about 1% of Moscow's air traffic and is currently operating under administration. Its ambition to handle international traffic is all very well, and apparently has elicited interest from airlines such as Moldovan and Georgian Airlines, given the congestion and high charges of the other three Moscow airports. However, the relationship between Centre-Avia and Bykovo remains unclear and Centre-Avia's apparent independence from Bykovo, particularly concerning its intentions on the use of the airport, suggests it is not as cosy as it may appear.

Article ID: 1677