The airline with the oldest aircraft. What kind of aircraft does Rossiya Airlines have? Which airlines are renewing their aircraft fleet?

Surely, many have used Rossiya Airlines flights. But what kind of airline is “Russia”? How did it appear and who is the owner? This is a subsidiary. She has been there since November 16, 2011. Its fleet is not very large, however, it represents quite a large variety.

Being one of the largest, its passenger traffic increases from year to year. In 2015 alone, about 4.7 million people were transported. The hub in is Pulkovo Airport, and in Moscow - Vnukovo. Simferopol Airport is also an additional hub.

Initially it was the Pulkovo company. It was reorganized into “Russia” October 9, 2006. After that, after 5 years, it became part of Aeroflot.

Previously it included Special flying unit “Russia”. This is an airline that transports exclusively top Russian officials. But then she came out of it, becoming an independent enterprise.

Stewardesses of the Rossiya company.

Not long ago it also included Orenburg Airlines and Donavia. The company's policy is to primarily satisfy the needs of the average consumer. Now the company almost 74 aircraft.

Continuing to remain part of the Aeroflot company, it operates all flights under the Aeroflot name. Also included in the Aeroflot Bonus system. You can read about what it is in.

Today the company operates flights to 25 Russian cities and the same number of points around the world. Also collaborates with football club“Zenith”, with whom they have signed an agreement.

Air fleet of the company “Russia”

As noted above, the company's fleet consists of almost 74 airliners. Of the aircraft that Rossiya Airlines currently has, almost all of them are age 9-12 years.

You can see photos of Rossiya company aircraft below. Most of them were purchased from other airlines.

Main characteristics of Rossiya aircraft.

The most a large number of aircraft from is Airbus A319-100. In total there are 26 models, of which 10 belonged to Donavia.

One of them painted in the signature colors of the Zenit football team. In October 2014, a special competition was held for best design. It was won by Sergei Skrebnev. According to his sketches, in Holland, the plane was painted in new colors.

Of the Airbuses, the company has 5 more Airbus A320-200. All 5 aircraft belonged to the company from the very beginning.

Almost 30 other aircraft are Boeings. 15 Boeing 737-800 models, which previously belonged to Orenburg Airlines.

From the same company - 1 Boeing 777-200. After the bankruptcy of Transaero, the fleet was replenished 9 Boeing 747-400 and 5 Boeing 777-300. Some of them were registered in Ireland, and some in Bermuda.

Until April 9, 2015, “Russia” still had 3 Boeing 767-300, as well as an AN-148, but following its anti-crisis program, the company abandoned them.

Boeing 777-300ER.

It was also ordered - 5 Boeing 777-300ER, which previously belonged to Emirates airlines and 20 more Sukhoi Superjet 100.

They were planned to be transferred to Aeroflot, but then the decision was changed in favor of Russia.

Sukhoi SuperJet 100.

New design

The planes, previously owned by the Orenburg Airlines and Donavia companies, still have to undergo repainting in new company colors, according to a completely new design. Some Airbuses and Boeings have already been designed in this vein.

The fuselage is bright red, then seems to split into small geometric shapes towards the wings.

By the way, real small wings are drawn behind them. At the nose aircraft The company name is indicated - “Russia”.

The venerable age of aircraft is one of the most common versions of plane crashes. However, experts argue that there is simply no such thing as an “old aircraft”, since civil aircraft are designed to last 25-30 years. Moreover, both new and “old” aircraft have completely identical flight performance and economic characteristics.

Throughout their service life, aircraft constantly undergo maintenance procedures, repairs and large-scale upgrades of operating systems.

After passing all necessary procedures even old aircraft approved for operation have absolutely functional systems. At the same time, they are practically no different from aircraft that have just rolled off the factory assembly line. For reference: the Russian airworthiness maintenance system is considered one of the most stringent and uncompromising technical control systems in the world.

The replacement of older aircraft is carried out by carriers in order to keep costs to a minimum. Modern aircraft use less fuel, require less maintenance and are more attractive. Airliners that are between 12 and 17 years old are considered to be of the highest quality, since it is at this age that they acquire the best operating conditions.

Dangerous age of aircraft

According to international standards, the aircraft can be safely used for 30, 40 and even 50 years. However, most experts recommend refraining from further purchasing used aircraft, since their equipment and systems may be in poor condition if they are not properly maintained and maintained.

Each type of aircraft has a service life limit - they can be guaranteed to be 60 thousand flight hours and 12 thousand successful landings.

Thus, airliners that have been flying for more than 30 years can be considered dangerous aircraft, but this has its own, very important feature. An aircraft cannot be young or old - its unsuitability is determined solely by its service life. In this regard, you can even fly on an old airliner, the resource of which is constantly updated by the air carrier.

Holy wars on this issue flared up with renewed vigor just now in connection with the report of a burst tire on a Transaero Boeing 737 plane in Israel. To form our opinion on this issue once and for all, let’s trust logic and professionals.

Everyone who is at least somehow technically connected with aviation says: flight safety is affected by the technical condition of the aircraft, which is very indirectly related to its age. Quote from the official, which is investigating plane crashes in the CIS:

Over the past five years, the number of accidents in the world, including Russia, with aircraft with a passenger capacity of more than 50 seats is the same for aircraft under 5 years old and over 30 years old. According to available information, the average age of Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated in the United States is 20.4 years. In Europe - 20.3 years.

But maybe the statistics are spoiled by some small airlines that have accumulated rubbish for themselves, while large and serious carriers prefer new equipment? It turns out not. The average age of Boeing 737 is one of the largest European airlines Lufthansa - exceeds 24 years. The American flagship and the largest airline in the world, Delta Airlines, actively uses Boeing 747s over 23 years old and 20-year-old A-320s. The British from British Airways, despite the primness and pickiness glorified in literature, do not even think of giving up Boeing 737s, which on average are almost 23 years old. In general, we could go on for a long time, but the picture as a whole is already clear.

Why does this happen? After all, new technology should, no, simply MUST be more reliable and safer. I think this common belief grew out of the automotive experience of most people who hold this view. In the case of cars, it may be justified. But in aviation the situation is different. Let me explain. The fact is that, unlike the automotive industry, there have been no breakthroughs in aviation for many decades. In my opinion, since December 31, 1968, when the world's first supersonic passenger aircraft Tu-144 made its first flight. After this, we did not see anything fundamentally new - apart from the greater introduction of computers, the improvement of navigation equipment and similar related innovations. All this modern equipment can be easily installed on airplanes manufactured 20 years ago, after which it seems that the old airliners will no longer be fundamentally different from the new ones.

In order for the aircraft to be in good technical shape even after two decades of operation, many strict rules have been developed for its maintenance, which are strictly observed. In addition to periodic checks of various components and equipment, aircraft are checked before each takeoff. At the same time, all systems of the airliner are tested, and if at least one of them raises any questions, the plane simply will not take off. No technician will take responsibility for the lives of hundreds of people. If a potentially dangerous malfunction is identified, it is easier for him to send the aircraft for a more thorough inspection. And the age of the aircraft does not affect this. Violators of this rule very quickly end up on various blacklists, for example, European skies are closed to them. There are no such airlines in Russia. You can view the list.

And here are some more arguments based on Russian reality. Aeroflot has the youngest fleet not only in our country, but also in the world (among major airlines). We look at the statistics and - voila - we see seven air incidents this year. Three of them are related to engines, including ones that stalled mid-flight. Let's take a look at the rest of the top five, whose fleet is noticeably older. During the same period, Transaero recorded only two incidents. S7 has two, Rossiya has one, UTair has seven . What about last year? Here's what.

Aeroflot - 11
Transaero - 8
Russia - 6
S7 - 5
UTair - 3

We conclude: the number of air accidents is not related to the age of the aircraft, but much more, although not directly, to the frequency of flights (which is true not only for aviation, but also for all other areas of life; those who do nothing are not mistaken). Where do the cries about the dangers of old airplanes come from? Yes, it all comes from the same place, out of a desire to fight with competitors, not really by honest means. I have already written about how black PR works in aviation; I will not repeat it. Reading.

Information about each airline often contains figures about the age of the fleet. These are numbers indicating the year of manufacture of the aircraft. Quite an abstract concept. After all, an airplane can fly day and night, staying at least at airports. And another plane will fly only occasionally, for a longer period of time, lying idle. Serving corporate events, or sometimes charter flights.

Each aircraft, be it a small two-seater Cessna 150, or a huge Boeing 747, has a form maintained by aircraft engineers of the operating company. It records all the hours in full. ground work aircraft engines and airframe, and flight hours. Engines are included in a separate article; their ground and flight hours are recorded separately. Since the operating hours of the engine are determined by the companies producing this type. Each engine has a service life, expressed in hours of practical operation, summed up from ground and flight work. At the end of this number of hours, the engine must be sent either for disposal or for complete repair at the manufacturer, with a service life extension.

A very common practice of leasing aircraft involves renting an aircraft from a certain airline, which also sometimes took what is called “rented” aircraft, with their subsequent purchase. That is, it turns out that one company exploited the aircraft to its fullest, squeezing everything it could out of them, and then, having the opportunity to renew its fleet, sells such an aircraft, with the remaining service life, to another company. So planes can change through three or four owners, each of whom drives them wherever possible. In this case, the year of manufacture of the vessel becomes of great importance. Because, having passed through the hands of charter operators, the aircraft is more than 100% worn out. Of course, there are inter-resource routine maintenance work, there is heavy routine maintenance work, there are also hourly RR work, all of them help to identify breakdowns, malfunctions and wear and tear of the aircraft, both the airframe, engines and equipment. In all types of RR (routine work), it is clearly and unambiguously stated what types of work should be carried out when the operating time is 50, 100, 500, etc. hours. After completing all types of PP, the people performing the work and the people monitoring the implementation and progress of this work are signed in the form. And even if the aircraft was laid up, that is, did not fly at all, RR must be carried out in accordance with the operating rules of the aircraft.

But given that aircraft used for commercial purposes, that is, on scheduled or charter flights, are idle little, the age of the aircraft acquires one of the decisive characteristics of safety and accident-free flights.

Why such a long preface, I’ll explain. The air transportation services market, and in particular the cost of air tickets, is very strictly subject to the tax and legal components. And the airlines themselves receive minimal profits, sometimes balancing on the brink of breakeven. Leasing, airport, tax fees, maintenance of personnel, flight and technical, fuel, payment for ANI (aeronautical information), all this “eats up” most of the profit. Large airlines have another expense item, the maintenance of clearly unprofitable routes. Due to a number of political or economic considerations, such companies support unprofitable routes at the expense of profitable and seasonal flights.

It turns out that the only way to save money for any airline carrier is to find a balance between flight safety and aircraft maintenance. Therefore buying enough cheap ticket, for this or that flight, we must think about what caused such a cost.

It is highly recommended that before purchasing tickets, you familiarize yourself with the airline that will serve you. And in particular, find out the average age of aircraft. For example, Transaero has a fleet whose average aircraft age is 15.5 years. VIM-Avia has this figure, on average 21 years. And the airline "Tomskavia" is 27.2 years old!

Every year, reputable interstate bodies publish, along with other ratings, the age rating of aircraft of the world's airlines. A very interesting document! This rating is divided into three color zones:

  • Aircraft whose age is up to 10 years. Green sector.
  • Orange sector, from 10 to 15 years.
  • And finally, the red sector, aircraft whose age is over 15 years.

Sometimes it would be a good idea for ordinary passengers to familiarize themselves with this list. A lot of interesting information can be learned from this rating.

4 Russian airlines are in the top hundred. "" is among the twenty "leaders". And the famous German Lufthansa has been in the “orange zone” for a long time, adjacent to many American, Canadian and even Israeli companies.

The company’s flights and their workload directly determine which air park will be with this carrier. This article contains information about airplanes that use popular Russian airlines.

Fleet fleets by company brand

"AZUR air". This company uses five types of Boeings. At her disposal:

  • 4 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a capacity of up to 531 seats, depending on the layout of the vessel;
  • 12 Boeing 767-300 aircraft – up to 336 seats per vessel;
  • 8 Boeing 757-200 aircraft – up to 238 seats;
  • 2 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft – up to 215 seats;
  • 4 Boeing 737-800 aircraft – up to 189 seats.

You can view other parameters (wing span, length of the aircraft, its cruising speed, flight range) and the layout of the cabin, as well as the possible design of the body of the aircraft of this airline on its website.

Aeroflot Among airlines with a passenger fleet of more than 100 aircraft, Aeroflot has one of the youngest fleets in the world. Most of The company's aircraft are aircraft of the Airbus A320 family (78 units), Airbus A330 (22 units of this model have been added to the fleet since 2008) and Sukhoi SuperJet 100, which after some time will take over the A320 in terms of share in the fleet. There are currently 49 Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SS100) aircraft, but from 2019 to 2026, another 100 such aircraft will enter the fleet, according to an agreement concluded in 2018. In addition, Aeroflot has:

  • 47 Boeing 737-800;
  • 19 777-300ER airliners, which have a “Comfort” service class and are superior to other aircraft in terms of range and capacity;
  • 34 Airbus aircraft A321.

"Nordavia". The fleet consists entirely of Boeing 737 narrow-body jet passenger aircraft:

  • 6 Boeing 737-500 aircraft;
  • 3 Boeing 737-700 units;
  • 6 – Boeing 737-800.

These aircraft are reliable and meet the highest technical safety requirements according to international standards. All of them are equipped with full economy class cabins.

"NordStar" . The company's fleet consists of three aircraft models:

  • Boeing 737-800 (9 units, each with 168–180 seats);
  • Boeing 737-300 (1 aircraft with 148 seats);
  • ATR 42-500 (5 units with 46 seats each).

"Victory" . The airline is faithful to the modern Boeing 737-800 model - its fleet consists entirely of such Boeings. In total, the company has 30 of them, supplied directly from the manufacturer. The planes are comfortable and safe. The cabin features Sky Interior: it is equipped with spacious luggage compartments, comfortable leather seats, and color-changing lighting.

"Red Wings" . This company gave preference to the Airbus A320 family, or rather the Airbus A321 (“Airbus A321”) - a more spacious and modern model, whose number of seats in economy class is 40 more seats, and whose take-off weight is 16 tons more than the previous one A320 . But the flight range has also been reduced by as much as 600 km.

The entire Airbus 320 series is distinguished by a spacious cabin, spacious shelves for hand luggage, large cargo capacity of the lower deck. These vessels are produced in Germany and France.

Airline "Russia" . The company's fleet includes a total of 62 aircraft. This:

  • 21 Airbus A319;
  • 16 Boeing 737;
  • 10 Boeing 777;
  • 9 Boeing 747;
  • 6 Airbus A320.

Among these aircraft there are both vessels with a capacity of about 130 seats, and vessels with 450, 520 seats. Therefore, the company's aircraft can fly both small and larger flights.

"ROYAL FLIGHT". At the beginning of 2019, the company had 12 aircraft and 3 more were on order. The average age of the company's vessel is exactly 19 years. The oldest ship is the Boeing 767-300 with tail number VP-BRE, 23 years old; the airline's newest ship is the Boeing 737-800 with tail number VQ-BRF (12 years old).In 2014, the company received a Boeing 757-200, and in May 2015, a Boeing 737-800. What does the Royal flight fleet consist of:

  • Boeing 757-200 (“Boeing 757-200”) - 7 aircraft;
  • Boeing 767-300 (“Boeing 767-300”) - 3 aircraft;
  • Boeing 737-800 (“Boeing 737-800”) - 2 aircraft.

"RusLine". As a private company specializing in VIP transportation, RusLine uses a small aircraft with only 50 seats. This is the Bombardier CRJ 100/200 ER/LR (Canadair Regional Jet) - a Canadian-made business jet (developed by Bombardier Regional Aircraft) from the family of regional aircraft. On aircraft of this model, the company's passengers travel throughout Russia and abroad, most often from several major airports Moscow (Domodedovo), St. Petersburg (Pulkovo), Yekaterinburg (Koltsovo) and Volgograd (Gumrak). The airline's home port is Moscow, Domodedovo.

"North wind" . An airline with a proud and romantic name"Nord Wind" from 2008 (the moment of its foundation) until the beginning of 2019, it acquired 30 aircraft, and for 2019 it planned to expand the fleet to 50 aircraft. At the beginning of 2019, the aircraft fleet contained:

  • Boeing 737-800NG – 11 aircraft for 186–189 passengers each;
  • Airbus A321-200 – 9 aircraft with a capacity of 214–220 passengers;
  • Boeing 777-200ER – 6 aircraft – 440 passengers;
  • Boeing 777-300ER – 3 aircraft – 486 passengers;
  • Airbus A330-200 – 2 aircraft – 283 passengers.

S7 . The easily identifiable aircraft, in their eye-catching light green color, belong to one of the most modern fleets on the market. Russian Federation. The fleet consists of 101 aircraft from the world's leading manufacturers: Airbus (61 aircraft), Boeing (23 aircraft) and Embraer (17 aircraft). S7 Airlines strives to be the first on the Russian market to operate the latest aircraft models: this was the case with the quietest in its class, environmentally friendly Airbus A320neo in 2017 and in 2018 with the medium-haul modern airliner Boeing 737 MAX. The company currently operates the following aircraft models:

  • Airbus A319;
  • Airbus A320neo;
  • Airbus A320;
  • Airbus A321;
  • Airbus A321neo;
  • Boeing 737-800;
  • Boeing 737 MAX 8;
  • Embraer 170.

"Ural Airlines" . Under operating leasing terms, the airline operates on Russian and international routes 47 modern Airbus aircraft:

  • 24 A320 aircraft;
  • 2 A320neo aircraft;
  • 15 A321 airliners;
  • 1 vessel A321neo;
  • 5 A319 airliners.

"UTair". The company has 65 aircraft and 151 helicopters. As of July 2019, the airline operated the following models:

  • ATR 72-500 – 13 units;
  • Boeing 737-400 – 6 units;
  • Boeing 737-500 – 27 units;
  • Boeing 737-800 – 9 units plus 30 ordered;
  • Boeing 767-200ER – 3 units.

"Yamal" . The company's fleet is represented by:

  • Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet CRJ-200LR – 10 pieces;
  • Challenger 850 – one;
  • Airbus A321 – 3 aircraft;
  • Airbus A320-200 – 8 pieces;
  • “Sukhoi RRJ-95LR-100” – 15 pieces.

Outstanding Foreign Air Fleets

An example of one of the most expensive airline fleets, of course, is a company from United Arab Emirates. This is one of the world's largest companies, created by the country's top leadership back in 1985, and is based in Dubai.

Emirates . The airline operates the latest fleet of Emirates A380s and Boeing 777s, as well as a dedicated fleet of small aircraft for premium private travel around the world.

  • The company has 113 A380 aircraft, equipped with personal cabins, fully lie-flat seats and a SPA shower in business class, with access to Wi-Fi throughout the flight, a comfortable economy class with ample space and customizable lighting.
  • Emirates owns the largest fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft - 158 units.


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