UTair to slow down fleet repaint program

The carrier’s first aircraft with the new livery was rolled out in October 2017 (Leonid Faerberg / Transport-Photo.com)

Russia’s UTair Aviation will have up to six of its aircraft repainted in 2018 as a part of the carrier’s rebranding process launched in the fall of 2017, Vice-President Pavel Permyakov announced recently.

So far the airline has had the new livery applied to a single Boeing 737-800. UTair earlier planned to have its entire 60-ship fleet repainted by the end of 2018.

According to Permyakov, UTair’s airliners will be repaired gradually, in keeping with the scheduled painting cycles. The carrier will thus save money. This is ultimately expected to have a positive effect on its air fares from passengers’ standpoint.

The top manager added that the carrier has dramatically increased its investment in the condition of aircraft interiors, primarily with regard to regularly replaceable items (seat headrests, window blinds, etc.). During the winter of 2018, the operator is planning to completely reupholster all passenger seats in its airliners. The new brand design was created by the agency Friends Moscow.

By Ekaterina Shatilova