VIM-Avia orders Boeing 777s and Boeing 767s

VIM-avia currently operates narrow-body aircraft only (Photo by VIM-avia)

Russian carrier VIM-Avia has ordered several Boeing 777 and 767 wide-body aircraft. The first aircraft will arrive at Domodedovo in late April, the airline announced in an official statement.

VIM-Avia did not specify how many aircraft it intends to receive and did not disclose any details of the deal. The airline’s spokesperson told Russian Aviation Insider that there will be “more than two” aircraft of each type, and that they should enter the operator’s fleet “by early May.” He also mentioned that the aircraft will allow the carrier to expand its network by adding long-haul routes.

At least one of the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft will be leased from MC Aviation Partners (part of Mitsubishi). This aircraft was previously operated by Malaysia Airlines.

VIM-Avia’s technical director Daniil Mazilin earlier said that the carrier was negotiating the acquisition of seven aircraft: two 777s, two 767s and three 737-500s. The airline has also started recruiting pilots for Airbus A330s.

At the end of February, VIM-Avia was Russia’s 10^th largest airline by traffic. It focuses mainly on regular and charter flights from Moscow and regional centers to destinations in Russia, Central Asia and Europe. It currently operates ten narrow-body aircraft: six Boeing 757-200s and four Airbus A319s.