Vladmir Belogub looks set for the role

Published: 6/14/2000

It appear from reports within Aviakor that Vladimir Belogub is emerging as the candidate to replace the vacationing Victor Petrischev, who has been General Director of the Samara-based aircraft producer for only three months. Belogub is currently the vice president and executive director of NPO Vzlyet, a producer of avionic systems based at Solntsevo Airport in Moscow. Given the constraints of the market, Vzylet has also developed a number of businesses including flying cargo charter and leasing its helicopter fleet including a Mi-10 flying crane. Prior to taking up the role at Vzylet, Belogub was General Director of its subsidiary the Centre for Systems Development. Belogub's advantage over the incumbent, who according to some sources was always seen as a temporary manager, is seen as being his better government connections and therefore increased leverage for the plant. This is particularly required given the commitment of the plant to the production of the An-70 and An-140, the latter having no orders to date and the former awaiting substantive interest and in need of funds, Siberian Aluminium (SA), the controlling shareholders, have already invested $40m in return for control of the plant. One possible outcome of the current upheaval is that SA may simply absorb the company into its own structure and try and work out the problems that have led many commentators to suggest that the acquisition was a 'white elephant'. Interestingly, Petrischev will not be fired but demoted to the position of Deputy General Director, his old job under Karklin, the previous GD.

Article ID: 1862