KrasAir

Infobox Airline
airline = KrasAir
Красноярские авиалинии

logo_size = 250
fleet_size = 36 (+11 orders)
destinations = 57
IATA = 7B
ICAO = KJC
callsign = KRASNOYARSK AIR
parent =
company_slogan =
founded = 1993
headquarters = Krasnoyarsk, Russia
key_people = Boris Abramovich (CEO), Alexander Abramovich (Deputy CEO)
hubs = Krasnoyarsk Yemelyanovo Airport
secondary_hubs =
focus_cities =
frequent_flyer = AiRUnion Premium, AkademStar Premium (for students)
lounge =
alliance = AiRUnion
website = http://www.krasair.ru/

KrasAir or Krasnoyarsk Airlines ( _ru. Красноярские авиалинии) is one of the leading airlines in Russia and based in Krasnoyarsk. It operates scheduled regional and international passenger services, freight transport, cargo handling and charter services. Its main base is Krasnoyarsk Yemelyanovo Airport.cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | page= 103 | date= 2007-04-03]

History

Privatization

The company traces its roots to the Krasnoyarsk-based Yenisey air wing, established by the Chief Directorate of the Northern Sea Route in May, 1934. The air wing eventually differentiated into traditional airline operations, and was as Krasnoyarsk Civil Aviation Directorate (1946-1982) and Krasnoyarsk Aviation Enterprize (1982-1993). In 1993 it was privatized; the state retained 51% controlling share.ru icon Krasair. Quarterly report, Q2 2008 [http://www.krasair.ru/image.php?id=667&save=1] ]

In October 2004 KrasAir and Domodedovo Airlines set up a joint management company called AirBridge. While retaining separate legal identities the airlines are planning to integrate their networks and services, as they are largely complementary.

AiRUnion

KrasAir is managed Boris Abramovich (CEO, no relation to Roman Abramovich) and his brother Alexander Abramovich (deputy CEO, no relation to Roman Abramovich). The Abramovich brothers' aggressive expansion campaign led to the creation of AiRUnion alliance in 2005, the first airline alliance in Russia. It includes KrasAir, Domodedovo Airlines, Samara Airlines, Omskavia and Sibaviatrans and is the third largest domestic carrier in Russia. All of the member airlines are controlled by Krasair management. Fact|date=February 2007

In 2005 KrasAir attempted to expand internationally, placing a winning bid in Hungary's national carrier Malév privatisation tender. The tender results were initially annulled by Hungarian authorities [ [http://www.budapesttimes.hu/index.php?art=1028 Budapest Times] ] before finally being sold in February 2007. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6391387.stm BBC NEWS | Business | Hungary national airline sold off ] ] During 2006 1,118,543 passengers were transported by KrasAir [ [http://www.krasair.ru/doc.php?id=1498 KrasAir press release] ] and AiRUnion transported 3,342,815 passengers [http://www.krasair.ru/doc.php?id=1510 KrasAir press release]

KrasAir managers are part of a venture together with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to create a new low-cost airline called Sky Express. This airline will be based at Vnukovo Airport and fly initially to domestic routes, using as many as 44 Boeing 737-300/500s. The airline's airfares are to be 30-40% cheaper than other carriers. [ [http://www.kommersant.com/p705784/EBRD_to_Fund_Russia’s_First_Budget_Airline/ Kommersant] ]

2008 crisis

In June and August 2008 Krasair and AiRUnion fleets were grounded as the fuel suppliers denied further credit fuel to debt-ridden airlines. In June Krasair and its principal supplier, Krasnoyard-based Sibir Avia Service, reached an agreement to resume fuel supply on condition that Krasair debt does not exceed 100 million roubles.KrasAir to Have Fuel at Double Price, Kommersant, June 20, 2008 [http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=1013573] ] By the middle of August the debt rose to 223 million roubles, and on August 19 Sibir avia stopped refuelling, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in airports. Krasair blamed the crisis on rising oil prices.KrasAir to Have Fuel at Double Price, Kommersant, June 20, 2008 [http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=1013573] ] In first six months of 2008, fuel accounted for 54% of Krasair costs.ru icon Krasair. Quarterly report, Q2 2008 [http://www.krasair.ru/image.php?id=667&save=1] ] Flights were also grounded in Moscow and Omsk airports. [Most AiRUnion flights still delayed in Moscow. Prime-TASS, August 23, 2008 [http://www.prime-tass.com/news/show.asp?topicid=68&id=443222] ]

Analysts predict that the fuel crisis will be resolved through intervention of Rostechhologii, a newly formed state conglomerate that controls substantial shares of AiRUnion companies, including Krasair; [Krasair may face fuel shortage, FINAM, August 12, 2008 [http://www.finamrus.com/investments/daily0000101C25/default.asp] ] alternatively, the state may prefer to complete formal bankruptcy process and restructure AiRUnion assets under a new management. August 24, prime minister Vladimir Putin specifically addressed the problem of grounded fleet, authorizing Sergey Ivanov to issue state funds and enable further operations. [ru icon AiRUnion won't get far, gazeta.ru, August 25, 2008 [http://www.gazeta.ru/business/2008/08/25/2820853.shtml] ]

August 26, 2008 the media brought two news that appear to make bankruptcy inevitable. Russian Technologies, the principal shareholder, refused to pay on AiRUnion bills and its fleet remained grounded. The same day, Russian Ministry of Transportation has negotiated with Aeroflot, Transaero, S7 Airlines and Rossiya about taking over the routes previously operated by Krasair. [ru icon Competition declare AiRUnion dead. Kommersant, August 26, 2008 [http://kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1016453&NodesID=0] ]

Destinations

Fleet

The KrasAir fleet consists of the following aircraft (as at May 2008):

As of December 2006 KrasAir is introducing four leased Boeing 757-200 aircraft as part of its fleet upgrade. The aircraft are on the Irish register and were previously operated by Iberia Airlines and Varig. [Flight International 12-18 December 2006]

External links

* [http://www.krasair.ru/ KrasAir]
* [http://www.ch-aviation.ch/aircraft.php?search=set&airline=7B&al_op=1 KrasAir Fleet]

References