Boeing 737 to fly from spring 2001(240 words)

Published: 10/23/2000

Aeroflot has reported that it intends to operate Boeing-737-400 on its Moscow -Murmansk route replacing the Tu-134 and Tu-154 it currently operates. According to Aeroflot, the decision to use the aircraft was largely due to comfort for passengers and a high load factor of 60% making the US built aircraft viable. In 1999 Aeroflot carried 39,800 passengers (3% of its scheduled domestic traffic) and 39 tonnes of cargo on this route, which has been beset with the uncertainty of coverage after the struggles of Murmansk Airlines and the owner of its routes and aircraft, the Murmansk Air Company. According to the airline their traffic on the route, started in August 1997, has recovered significantly from 1998 and now stands at double the level of that year. Aeroflot plans to introduce B-737 on the route at the end of March 2001 for the start of the new summer schedule. The use of the aircraft on a domestic route by Aeroflot emphasises its intention to be competitive in the market by demonstrating a higher quality of service compared with Tu-134 and Tu-154 primarily operated by its domestic competitors. Given the problems of the regional carrier the competition on the Moscow-Murmansk route is currently low, Sibaviatrans have however, said that it plans to operate on the route, which may have stimulated Aeroflot into the announcement of the change of aircraft.

Article ID: 2138