General aviation system starts operations (400 words)

Published: 9/4/2000

On 24th August 2000, the new regional air transport operator Avialine made its first flights from Moscow to Tula-Oryol-Kursk using an Il-103. The flight was designed to demonstrate the ability of Avialine to deliver an intra-regional air service, which is the remit of the state-owned general aviation organisation. The flight from Domodedovo Airport, which was chosen according to Avialine, because it has the most developed transport infrastructure with its connections to domestic, CIS and international flights for passengers transiting through Moscow from the regions. In addition to Domodedovo Avialine will also use Tushino, Astafyevo and Bykovo airports in the future. Avialine's main objective is to restore intra-regional and regional air services initially around Moscow, integrating the use of small aircraft with car and other ground transport, as well as providing a customer for Russia's general aviation producers. Initially the company will operate a Yak-40 aircraft with business cabins leased from the Gromov Flight Test and Research Institute, an owned Mi-34S light helicopter and it is in negotiations to buy some of the eight Il-103s assembled at Lukhovisty from Ilyushin. Avialine says that it is currently reviewing the possibility of using the Sokol-built M-101 Ghzel Avialine is seen as a model for the restoration of general aviation across Russia and a rollout of the scheme is planned for regions within Central Russia,. The airline is supported by the Russian Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs, the Moscow City Government and investment company LanRusinvest through a private sector company Avialine Centre, responsible for the commercial development of the enterprise with funding from Sberbank. The scheme will be rolled out in two stages, the first within 200kms of the capital and the second within 400kms, with the goal of connection to all the cities and towns in the region. The company plans to begin regular services by the end of September 2000, and anticipates that 80% of its clients will be senior managers from state and private companies in the regions. The projected start-up market will be 600 users in Tula, 400 in Oryol and 500 in Kursk. To use Avialine, users are required to become shareholders in the entity at an entry cost of $95 and a subscription fee of $325 .The cost of flying is $100 an hour as part of a package that involves providing users with 'door to door transport'.

Article ID: 2052