Russian national carrier Aeroflot has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-500, which is destined for its new regional carrier, Aeroflot-Nord.
The first of around five western aircraft pencilled in for the carrier has undergone completion and paintwork in Southend, UK. The ex-SkyEurope Airlines Boeing 737-500 (OM-SEA, to be re-registered as VP-BQI) will start operations for the division. The airline has also planned to take ATR-42 turboprops, but only as an interim solution until Russian or Ukranian regional models are available.
Aeroflot-Nord was established last October after Aeroflot gained control of Arkhangelsk Airlines. It runs scheduled services on 29 routes from Arkhangelsk in northwest Russia, including cross-border flights to Finland, Sweden and Norway.
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© Antony Best
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