Air Transport

Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot has revoked the right of affiliate Aeroflot-Nord to use the Aeroflot desginator code on its services.

Aeroflot-Nord emerged after Aeroflot acquired a 51% share of Archangelsk Airlines four years ago. But following the fatal loss of an Aeroflot-Nord aircraft in Perm two days ago, Aeroflot is loosening its branding ties to the airline.

Aeroflot general directorValery Okulov says: "We've decided to terminate co-operation [with Aeroflot-Nord]. It's a matter of protecting our image and reputation. We've paid too dearly for sharing our brand."

The carrier says that the airlines, as of yesterday, have been performing flights under their own code.

Several Moscow services previously operated under an Aeroflot-Nord code revert to Aeroflot flights, coded with its 'SU' designator. These include services to Perm, Ekaterinburg, Surgut and Tyumen.

Aeroflot-Nord's '5N' code will similarly be carried on Moscow flights to Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, Samara, Kaliningrad and Volgograd.

"These changes will help passengers identify more clearly the actual carrier on a particular route," says Aeroflot.