Rossiya to retire Boeing 747s, Russia abandons passenger model

Russia’s sole Boeing 747 operator, Rossiya Airlines, will retire the model by the end of 2024. The airline’s fleet now includes nine Boeing 747-400 four-engine double-deckers. All of these machines were flown by Transaero Airlines and, following its bankruptcy in 2016, were transferred to Rossiya by their owners, state-owned leasing companies. Rossiya uses the B-747s for charter flights to destinations sold by tour operator Biblio-Globus.

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After the final retirement of the B-747s, 10 Boeing 777-300 wide-body twin-engine Boeing 777-300s will remain in Rossiya’s long-haul fleet, which now mainly operates subsidized flights from Moscow to the Far East.

Rossiya told ATO.ru that the process of retiring the B-747s will begin in 2023 and culminate when the last two aircraft leave the fleet in 2024. Meanwhile, the airline is evaluating replacing the 747s with long-haul narrow-body aircraft to take over charter operations. However, the final decision has to be approved by Aeroflot Group.

Rossiya’s fleet also includes 20 Airbus A319s, eight A320s, and 12 Boeing 737-800s. The airline has also been designated by Aeroflot Group to operate Russian-made aircraft. The regional Superjet 100 fleet will increase from 66 to 87 this year: its last 10 aircraft will be transferred from Aeroflot’s fleet, and 11 more will be supplied by the manufacturer.

Moreover, Rossiya is preparing to become the launch operator for the new MC-21 this year. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the airline in September, two more in November, and one in December. Aeroflot Group signed an order for 50 MC-21s.

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To conclude:

When Rossiya says goodbye to the Boeing 747, the passenger version of this aircraft will leave the Russian market. But the cargo version will remain in the fleet of the country’s largest cargo carrier, AirBridgeCargo (part of the Volga-Dnepr Group), which operates four B-747-400Fs and 13 B-747-8Fs. Sky Gates Airlines also flies two Boeing 747-400Fs.

Transaero Airlines was the first operator of the legendary Jumbo Jet in Russia, taking delivery of a Boeing 747-200 in July 2005. In the end, the Queen of the Skies in its passenger version will have operated in Russia for less than 20 years.