UTair to nearly double passenger numbers in 2014
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – Russia s UTair Airlines expects to carry 13 million passengers in 2014, up 43% from 2013. Revenue is expected to exceed RUB95 billion ($2.88 billion). In 2013, the airline s first-half revenue rose 32.5% to $989.8 million while profit dropped 63% to $8.73 million.
According to UTair’s business plan, the growth will be due to its fleet renovation plan. The airline will take delivery of 22 modern aircraft, including Airbus A321s, Boeing 737-800s, 737-900s and Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100s. By the end of the year, it plans to ground more than 50 aircraft, including its Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-154s.
During 2014, the carrier will optimize its route network and launch new destinations in Russia and abroad.
UTair is the third largest airline in Russia. During the first 10 months of 2013, it carried 7 million passengers, up 6% from the year-ago period. Its route network mainly covers destinations in Russia; however, UTair also operates flights from Moscow to Hannover, Dresden, Brno, and from Saint Petersburg to Budapest.
Source: ATW
