Aeroflot Group to acquire six new Boeing 777s

Russia's largest carrier Aeroflot currently has 16 Boeing 777-300ERs in its fleet (Aeroflot)

Russia’s Aeroflot Group intends to acquire six new Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) widebodies. The plan will be submitted to the next Board of Directors meeting, which is scheduled for August 31. Together with the expected deliveries of five new Airbus A350s, the planned acquisition would expand the group’s widebody long-range fleet by 20%.

It has not yet been disclosed which of the group’s subsidiary carriers will get the new Boeings. Flag carrier Aeroflot currently operates 16 777-300ERs, while sister company Rossiya Airlines has one 777-200 an five 777-300s.

No details have been revealed as to the possible delivery schedule. Aeroflot’s May 2017 investor presentation suggested that five of the Boeings could enter service with the airline in 2018. The previous contract, for 16 of the type, has now been completed, with all the airliners delivered between February 2013 and June this year.

Another issue to be discussed by the upcoming meeting is Aeroflot’s plan to sell four Airbus A321s, serial numbers 3267 (VP-BUM), 3334 (VP-BUP), 4099 (VQ-BEE), and 4148 (VQ-BEI). All four are equipped with CFM International engines. According to open sources, Aeroflot has been the sole operator of these aircraft, and their age ranges from 7.7 to 9.9 years. The average age of Aeroflot’s fleet currently stands at 4.3 years.

The total fleet of Aeroflot Group, whose subsidiaries also include Pobeda Airlines and Aurora Airlines, is currently nearing 300 aircraft (not including the six Antonov An-148s and a single An-24 that the group is subleasing). Plans for this year included taking delivery of 59 airliners and phasing out 19. The planned numbers for 2018 are 45 and 17 aircraft, respectively.