Moskovia Airlines
Former Russian airline (1995–2014)
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Moskovia Airlines (Russian: Авиакомпания Московия, romanized: Aviakompaniya Moskoviya) was an airline based in Zhukovsky, Moscow, Russia. It operated domestic and international passenger and cargo charters. Its main base was Domodedovo Airport.[2]
Moscow Zhukovsky Airport
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| Founded | 4 October 1995 (as Gromov Air) | ||||||
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| Ceased operations | August 2014 | ||||||
| Operating bases | Moscow Domodedovo Airport Moscow Zhukovsky Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 15 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Zhukovsky, Moscow, Russia | ||||||
| Key people | Mikhail Alexeev (CEO)[1] | ||||||
| Website | www.moskovia.aero | ||||||
History
Development
The airline was established on 4 October 1995 as a wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the Gromov Flight Research Institute and named Gromov Air, which was registered on 10 October the same year. In its beginnings the carrier operated cargo flights only; regular scheduled passenger services commenced in 2000.[3] The airline was renamed Moskovia Airlines in 2006.[3][6] Russian-manufactured aircraft (An-12s, An-24s, Tupolev Tu-134s, Tu-154s and Yak-40s) made up the fleet until 2009, when leased Boeing 737s were phased in. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 was incorporated into the fleet in 2013.[3]
Grounding
Moskovia Airlines filed for bankruptcy in February 2014 but planned to continue its operations.[7] Delays with flights returning passengers from the Montenegrin resort of Tivat and also with services from Astrakhan to Turkey were revealed in mid-July 2014; at this time, it was informed the airline was unable to pay for the fuel.[8] An inspection that came after these delays[9] resulted in the Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsia suspending the commercialisation of tickets and the airline shrinking its operations to serve just the Moscow–Tivat route.[1] That month, it was reported that the company would apparently continue its operations as a charter airline.[2]
In August 2014, Rosaviatsia suspended the Moskovias's air operator's certificate (AOC) following the carrier's CEO stating the carrier could no longer operate due to financial difficulties.[1] One of the causes for the suspension of the AOC responded to the fact that Moskovia did not meet the Russian regulations for the minimum number of aircraft to operate scheduled passenger services.[8] After three months of suspension, the AOC was finally cancelled in December 2014.[10][11]
Destinations
This is a list of destinations served by Moscovia Airlines (as of December 2013):[12][additional citation(s) needed]
Asia
- Yerevan – Zvartnots International Airport[13]
Europe
- Prague – Prague Václav Havel Airport[13]
- Berlin – Berlin-Tegel Airport
- Munich – Munich International Airport[13]
- Belgorod – Belgorod Airport[13]
- Moscow – Domodedovo Airport Base
- Stavropol – Shpakovskoye Airport[14]
Fleet
The Moskovia Airlines fleet includes the following (as of January 2014):[15][16]
| Aircraft | In Fleet | Orders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antonov An-12BK | 3 | 0 | |
| Antonov An-148B | 0 | 3 | [17] |
| Boeing 737-700 | 2 | 0 | |
| Sukhoi Superjet 100 | 2 | 2 | Two options.[18] Two ready to enter in service. |
| Total | 5 | 6 |
The airline also used to operate three Boeing 737-800, but they were returned to lessors in March 2011.[citation needed]
Incidents and accidents
- On 26 May 2008, a Moscovia Airlines An-12 cargo aircraft crashed near Chelyabinsk, Russia, killing all nine crew members.[citation needed]
