The aircraft of Bashkortostan Airlines will be transferred to the flag of the parent company VIM-Avia, the press service of the parent company told Kommersant, without specifying the timing of the implementation of the decision. VIM-Avia explained it by “commercial feasibility” and VIM-Avia’s desire to develop a regular flight program. At the same time, “some time will pass before the arrival of new aircraft, which will gradually replace the existing fleet” of the parent carrier, noted a representative of the airline. As for the development of Bashkortostan, she explained, it is planned to develop a new commercial plan for it, also related to the supply of new aircraft. VIM-avia refused to comment on the details of this plan.

Bashkortostan Airlines LLC was founded in 2005. The company was created to replace the national regional carrier Bashkir Airlines, which went bankrupt with the sanction of local authorities. It was planned that the Bashkortostan blocking stake would be secured by the regional government (Kommersant wrote about this on September 8, 2005), but the Bashkortostan authorities then refused to support the project. The sole owner of Bashkortostan was VIM-Avia, owned by businessman Rashid Mursekaev. The airline's fleet includes three passenger Boeing 757–200s and one Diamond DA-42 (used for aerial photography). The carrier has permission to operate flights to 320 airports around the world. With revenue of 1.49 billion rubles. in 2012, its net loss amounted to 377.86 million rubles, accounts payable amounted to 740.18 million rubles. Bashkortostan does not operate flights from Ufa, which has repeatedly earned critical statements from Bashkir government officials. At the beginning of the year, the republican authorities negotiated with Rashid Mursekaev on the creation of a base airline in Ufa on the basis of Bashkortostan. The press service of VIM-avia refused to comment on their progress yesterday.

Irina Samoilova

Bashkortostan aircraft will fly under the flag of VIM-avia