Published: 10/29/1997

The world's largest producer of natural gas (23% of the total output), RAO GAZPROM, is finalising re-structuring of its aviation. Vladimir Shkrigounov, an expert with Gazpromavia, tells ConCISe that the principal decision to unite half-a-dozen regional air enterprises into one organisation occurred in August last year, with the aim of making better use of the existing fleet. Gazpromavia, which was founded in March 1995, and given an operator's licence on 16 April last year, has gradually devoured SurgutGazpromAvia, NadymGazpromAvia, Mostransgaz Airlines and others. The company's hub is at Vnukovo airport, whereas the freighters are based at Ostafievo aerodrome near Podolsk, some 20km south of Moscow. Currently, the Gazpromavia inventory includes three Tu-154Ms, one Tu-134VIP, three Yak-42Ds (one in VIP configuration, two in standard all-economy layout for 120 passengers), two Yak-40VIPs, two L-410s, two Il-76s, three An-74s, one An-12, and several Falcon-900Bs. Helicopters are represented by the Mi-8, Mi-2 and Ka-26 types. Some Mi-8s are special versions for 9 VIPs. All of the aircraft are owned by RAO GAZPROM itself. Shkrigounov says that usage of the airliners is very much seasonal - during winter the Yak-42s often stay idle. In the hot months, however, they work flat out, transporting workers, their wives and children to holiday resorts, with the most frequently flown routes being the ones from Surgut, Nadym and Tyumen to Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Pafos, Arab Emirates and Germany. Gazpromavia is now trying to find tourist operators interested in making use of its airplanes, mostly Yak-42Ds, in the dead season. Another problem is a big difference in commercial load between inboard and outboard flights. To overcome this, Gazpromavia is trying to reach commercial agreements with airlines of Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Krasnodar, allowing the carriage of their passengers. Except for passenger flights, the area of Gazpromavia activities includes the transportation of executives in VIP versions of airliners, carrying personnel and cargo to remote destinations in Siberia and other regions. Also included is the provision of ecological monitoring for industrial facilities and gas/oil lines. RAO GAZPROM has the largest Russian fleet of specially-configured corporate jets. As a rule, these have two compartments - one for high-ranking executives and another for associates and guards. The Tu-134, for instance, has a 15-seat VIP cabin and 57 seats for the entourage. The two Yak-40s are configured for six VIPs and eleven others. (AL1097.2) (VK)

Article ID: 67