Aeroflot Group establishes Aurora, completing merger of SAT Airlines and Vladivostok Avia

Aeroflot Group established (06-Nov-2013) its new Far Eastern carrier Aurora, with Konstantin Sukhorebrik appointed the carrier's director general. Aurora is the result of the merger of SAT Airlines and Vladivostok Avia, with Aeroflot taking a 51% stake and Sakhalin Oblast 49%. In addition to existing Boeing 737s, the carrier will receive three A319 aircraft by the end of 2013, with a further four A319 aircraft due for delivery in 2014. Aurora will also operate an unspecified number of regional aircraft, increasing the size of its fleet to 40 aircraft by 2018. Between 2013 and 2018, the carrier plans to increase the number of its destinations from 30 to 128 and the number of weekly frequencies from 172 to 534. Aeroflot is projecting passenger traffic for Aurora of 2.4 million in 2018. Aeroflot director general Vitaly Saveliev said: "The consolidated Far Eastern airline was a strategic idea for a long time, from now on it is a reality. Aurora Airlines will help to enhance the economic potential of the Far East, increase the mobility of its population and contribute to the growth and reinforcement of local aviation personnel. The new air carrier will be an important part of Aeroflot Group and will strengthen its synergy. We expect an effective cooperation with the federal and regional authorities in the further development of this project, essential both for the Far East and Russia." [more - original PR] [more - original PR - Russian]