Transaero Airlines Unusual Fleet Strategy

Russia’s second largest carrier-Transaero Airlines(UN) is founded in 1990 and currently flies to more than 100 domestic and international destinations. The airline’s biggest base is situated in Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport(DME), the largest airport in the Moscow Area and Russia. UN has also based some of their operations based at Russia’s Second largest city- St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport(LED) and the newly-improved Vnukovo Airport(VKO). Transaero Airlines begin their life as a charter airline by leasing aircraft from Russia’s national carrier-Aeroflot. But, now the airline operates as an independent carrier in Russia. The carrier can consider themselves performing quite well given that the carrier doesn’t receive any state aid(unlike what national carrier gets) and constantly having plans to further expand their network and fleet. The airline is also a seriously candidate for Star Alliance, which currently doesn’t have a Russian member in their alliance. Russia’s national carrier-Aeroflot is currently with Skyteam, while the other independent carrier S7 Airlines is with oneworld.

The airline recently grabbed some headlines in the aviation world by ordering new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, and also leasing second-hand aircraft non-Russian aircraft from lessors. This is seen as a move to ensure high safety standard given Russia’s poor safety record. But we look closely at the airlines order book, something quite astonishing happens. The airline has almost every commercial airplane in this world! (If we calculated those future orders and the currently airline fleet).

Photo by Airbus. How Transaero’s

Airbus 380 will look like with their livery. The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 4 of this superjumbo. 

 The Current Transaero Fleet:

Aircraft Type:	Total:	Order:
Airbus 320neo	---	8
Airbus 380-800	---	4*
Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737-400 Boeing 737-500 Boeing 737-700 Boeing 737-800	3 5 15 --- 6	--- --- --- 6^1 ---
Boeing 747-300 Boeing 747-400 Boeing 747-8I	3 15 ---	--- 4^2^3 4*
Boeing 767-200 Boeing 767-300	3 10	--- ---
Boeing 777-200ER Boeing 777-300	9 4^2	--- ---
Boeing 787-8	---	4
Tupolev-214	3	---
Sukhoi Superjet 100	---	6
Total:	76	36

*Orders are not confirmed, but memorandum of understandings have been signed

^¹: Ex-Malev aircraft, will be delivered in 2012

^²: Ex-Singapore Airlines aircraft

^³: Ex-Japan Airlines aircraft

Looking at the airline’s fleet, the carrier virtually operates all types of aircraft in the world from Boeing to Airbus to Tupolev to Sukhoi jets. The only commercial jets missing from the lists are the Airbus 330 and Airbus 340 family aircraft. Previously, the carrier did operate older Airbus 310 and Boeing 757 in their fleet. Looking at the future, they are going to have Sukhoi jets, Airbus 320neo and Boeing 737-300, -400, -500, -700 and -800 operating short-haul route and domestic Russia route. Both Airbus 380 and Boeing 747 is going to operate medium or long-haul high capacity routes. While both Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 is likely to operate medium-haul route or high capacity short-haul route. The Tupolev aircraft is likely to be retired in this few years.


It is quite surprising that Transaero decides to operate so many different kinds of aircraft. Airlines across the world are keep downsizing and simplifying their fleet to further reduce their cost. Airlines like Emirates Airlines are going to operate 3 types of aircraft in the future: The Boeing 777, Airbus 350 and Airbus 380. Instead of simplifying their fleet, the carrier decides to operate and order planes from different manufacturer. It appears to me the management of the airline might be an aviation enthusiast! They want to have every single kind of aircraft on this planet! It is interesting how the airline is going to work once all their ordered aircraft arrived.

The airline is going to be the first customer in Russia and CIS that operates the eco-efficient Airbus 320neo. The airline has ordered 8 Airbus 320neo aircraft on December 2011.

By, 

rafanited39

(The Editor)

sunnaero@gmail.com

07/05/2012