S7 To Dump All Soviet-Era Planes By November

The Board of Directors for Russia's S7 Airlines approved a total fleet renewal program during a meeting held September 8... and when they say "total," they mean it.

Under terms of the carrier's program, S7 will withdraw Soviet-made aircraft from operations by November 1. Removal of the technologically obsolete Tupolev 154s and Ilyushin 86s from service is driven by poor operational and environmental performance, according to the carrier.

To maintain its status as Russia's second-largest domestic airline, S7 Airlines will modernize its entire fleet. Boeing and Airbus will deliver more than 70 new airplanes combined by 2014 to S7.

In 2008, S7 Airlines received four new Airbus A320 airliners two more will follow by end of year. Three Boeing 737-800s began operation in August, and another five are slated to be operational before year-end.

In the same period seven more Boeings -- two Boeing 737-400 and five long-range Boeing 767-300ER -- will be delivered. In 2009, the S7 fleet will be expanded with four Airbus A320s, two Boeing 737-800s and two Boeing 767-300ER airplanes.

Also in 2009, deliveries will begin against 25 new A320s ordered by S7 Airlines at this year's Paris Air Show. S7 Airlines concluded contracts for delivery of 10 Boeing 737-800s starting 2010, and delivery of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners starting in 2014. As ANN reported, S7 will be the first Russian operator of composite-bodied 787.

"Taking into account current deliveries of aircrafts and the fact that the removal from operations of Soviet airplanes will be executed in a period of seasonal fall of passenger traffic, S7 Airlines does not expect a decrease in the volume of operations. We are currently in negotiations with leasing companies on additional deliveries of airplanes," said S7 CEO Vladislav Filev.

FMI: www.s7.ru, www.boeing.com, www.airbus.com