Charter carrier increases volumes despite difficult market

Published: 1/27/2000

According to figures issued by the Association of Air Transport Operators, the Moscow-based carrier, AJT International, which is principally a charter carrier, increased its passenger volume by 4.3%, to 431,000, in the first ten months of 1999, on its fleet of four Il-86s and one Tu-154. Given that the airline"s General Director, Serguey Gusak stated, in September, that the carrier was profitable, with 85% load factor on a larger fleet, these latest figures suggest an encouraging bottom line. The airline"s cargo volume also saw an improvement growing by 4.3% to 4200 tons. Owned by its Chief Executive, Teimouzaz Kaztchava and troubled carrier, Vnukovo Airlines, AJT was the first independent airline to be formed in 1981 in Russia. It appears to have lost a couple of its aging Il-86s in the last few months and is in the process of prolonging the lives of the Il-86s leased from their producer, VASO, which are reaching the end of their air frame limits. Associated article: www.concise.org. 27th September 1999

Article ID: 1368