Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot is planning to have 11 Airbus A350-900s in service by the end of 2020, following introduction of the type early next year.

Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot is planning to have 11 Airbus A350-900s in service by the end of 2020, following introduction of the type early next year.

Aeroflot Group’s directors confirmed the plan during the company’s latest board meeting.

The airline is seeking offers, through the Russian government’s official procurement channel, for operational lease agreements under a sale-and-leaseback scheme for three A350-900s due for delivery in 2020.

Aeroflot has been intending to operate its aircraft with a three-class 316-seat layout.

The board also discussed regional fleet planning, approving the lease of a further five Sukhoi Superjet 100s in order to “maintain the required number of short-haul aircraft” for Aeroflot.

It is to open a competition for lessors to supply the five aircraft, with deliveries planned for the fourth quarter of this year.

The Superjet leases, says the company, could be concluded either as a single transaction or five independent ones. Each lease term will be a maximum of 12 years.

Aeroflot Group has newly disclosed its nine-month financial results, under international standards, showing a net profit of Rb20.3 billion ($315 million) after a 12% rise in revenues to Rb524 billion.