New general director at Vnukovo Airlines to tackle pressing problems, but the old general director has not left just yet!

Published: 5/25/1999

Mr Vladimir Rubtsov has replaced Mr Tatevos Surinov as Director-General of the Vnukovo Airlines, in a decision made by the company"s board of directors on Tuesday April 19th 1999. Mr Rubtsov said that: “Vnukovo Airlines is Russia"s oldest airline. It holds first place in the domestic market and we shall do our best to make it hold that place among Russian air carriers". He added that he would a further statement within the next two weeks. Commercial Director Alexander Klimov was also removed at the same time, although his position remains unfilled. Mr Rubtsov has held a variety of transport positions, including his last job as a vice-president responsible for transportation at Intourist. In 1980, he was Commercial Director of the Aeroflot office in Madrid. He then moved to the External Economic Relations Department of the USSR Ministry for Civil Aviation and subsequently to the post of Commercial Director of the Alak Air Company. The move at Vnukovo is an interesting one for Surinov given that the company is 75% controlled by the Russian Aviation Consortium (RAC) of which Surinov is also president. His tenure at Vnukovo has also only lasted since last July and despite being replaced as General Manager remains Chairman of the company's board, leading to speculation about his position. Rumours about the Russian Aviation Consortium holding in Vnukovo are also the subject of much speculation, with stories ranging from an East West acquisition of the holding to a purchase by Intourist, Rubtsov's former employer.Neither rumoured buyers have been particularly forthcoming on what is going on, but East West denied any purchases while Intourist declined to comment. The reason for Surinov's departure is therefore uncertain, but for some time the airline has been under intense financial pressure recently demonstrated by the seizure of an aircraft in Egypt for non-payment of landing fees. Whether Mr. Rubtsov is the answer to these problems is another matter. At first glance his experience does not seem to demonstrate a thrusting commercial manager, but more that of a time served bureaucrat of the Soviet mould. Time will however, prove his metal and perhaps who his boss will be!

Article ID: 533