Sibir gains the Novokuznetsk route from the FSVT after the suspension of Aerokuznetsk

Published: 1/7/2000

Not unexpectedly, the FSVT has awarded fast-growing Novosibirsk-based airline, Sibir, with the licence for daily flights from Moscow to Novokuznetsk in Siberia. This replaces the bankrupt locally based carrier, Aerokuznetsk , which has had its operating licence suspended, due to its poor financial condition. On 24th December 1999, Sibir and Aerokuznetsk signed an agreement under which Sibir started scheduled flights from Novokuznetsk - Moscow from 26th December 1999. The Sibir flights will use both Aerokuznetsk crews and two Tu-154Bs leased from Aerokuznetsk, after a contract is agreed. Sibir will sell tickets for the route through its own distribution channels and the state controlled Transport Clearing Chamber. The company plans to review tariffs and upgrade the quality of service on the route, under the supervision of the Sibir management from its affiliated airline in Kermovo. In addition to leasing the aircraft, Sibir has employed eight flight crews and 30 cabin staff. The Aerokuznetsk maintenance facility will continue to service the aircraft. Given that the airline employed 1300 employees at the beginning of 1999, it seems likely that there will be a considerable reduction in personnel. For Novokuznetsk, the agreement means that the city has retained the daily link with the capital, as the closure of the route would have left it dependent on the twice weekly Sibir flight, which started in March 1999. The future of Aerokuznetsk remains uncertain. Reports in September 1999 said that its Temporary Manager, Victor Belozyorov, had sold the airline"s assets to a shadowy Moscow- based Financial Investment Technologies (FIT), to cover some of the carrier"s debts of 190m rubles, after the company had been in administration for 18 months. The new owner then stated that it would employ Belozyorov to run a new airline, based on the Aerokuznetsk assets, called Aerokuzbass, with the intention of developing an airline to service the Kermerovo region and preserving both the service and jobs at the airline. Local speculation has suggested that FIT may be linked to investment company, MIKOM, a large creditor of the airline and mentioned as a potential buyer. FIT continues to retain the airlines assets, including the city"s airport and a fleet of aircraft, of which at least four Tu-154s out of the nine owned by the airline have been refurbished. One is reported to be on a long term wet lease to Iran. The balance of the fleet includes 19 helicopters and nine An-24 and An-26s. For the Regional Governor, Aman Tuleyev, who has publicly expressed his displeasure at the expansion of Sibir in the region, this development in Novokuznetsk follows a similar pattern seen elsewhere in Siberia of airlines absorbed by Sibir and then rationalised down to their best aircraft. Associated articles: www.concise.org 8th June 1999, 17th September 1999

Article ID: 1291