Aeroflot defends purchase of Western aircraft

Aeroflot confirmed plans to acquire 22 B787s and 22 A350s aircraft, as well as 30 Sukhoi Superjets, from 2016 (Moscow Times, 11-Jul-2010). Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, requested the national carrier purchase more Russian manufactured aircraft, stating the airline has overlooked the Irkut MS-21 and Tupolev aircraft. Aeroflot CEO, Vitaly Savelyev, defended the fleet plan, stating it intends to use domestically manufactured aircraft for regional units. Only six of the carrier's 90 aircraft are of Russian manufacture.

Russian Government: "You want to dominate the domestic market, but you don't want to buy Russian technology. That won't do," Vladimir Putin, Prime Minsiter. Source: Moscow Times, 11-Jul-2010.