VAL to become official carrier

Published: 7/11/2000

At a press briefing on 6th July, Vnukovo Airlines (VAL) and the Russian Football Union (RFS) agreed that the airline would become the official carrier for Russia's national soccer team through the provision of a dedicated executive aircraft. According to Aleksandr Klimov, VAL First Deputy General Director, the agreement, which provides the aircraft at no charge, will cover a period through to the end of 2001 and is one of a number of negotiations between the carrier and other sports federations. At the same meeting, it revealed that it was also tendering for the contract to carry President's Putin's recently appointed regional representatives, a contract which appears not to have automatically gone to Rossiya , the government airline. For the soccer team VAL is providing a VIP configured Yak-42, which is now undergoing interior upgrade under the VAL Five Star upgrade project with the interior provided by United Interior group. The cabin will be divided into a VIP section with divans and high-end TV equipment and an 'improved economy class' section with 50 seats. The aircraft will be available for commercial flights with a new cabin in early September, meeting the deadline for the beginning of the European cup competition and becoming the first corporate jet ever used by Soviet/Russian sports teams. It will replace the regular flights on Aeroflot, Transaero and Gazpromavia used in the past. The Yak-42 will be painted in VAL and RFS colors, with a large national football team badge on each side of the fuselage. Although most of the time the plane will be at the team's disposal, Klimov said that charter flights for VIP and corporate clients could also be undertaken with RFS's permission. Should the team need to fly outside the range of the Yak-42, VAL would provide a Tu-204 or a Tu-154. The reason for the sponsorship besides supporting 'national pride', is to promote VAL's new Five Star project, aimed at pushing the carrier upmarket through the provision of improved on-board food and luxury cars at destination airports. Klimov said that charter flights in the interests of VIP and corporate clients are not a new business for the airline. Before merging with VAL, Oryol-Avia Airline handled the US Embassy in Russia, Elf, Total and other international corporations using its VIP-configured Yak-42s. VAL currently provides services charter services on a regular basis for a number of state structures and large companies, including Russia's Federal Agency of Governmental Information (FAPSI), Nuclear Power Ministry, EnergoAtom and SibNeft.

Article ID: 1919