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About Us
Aeroflot Today
Aeroflot Russian Airlines is one of the world's largest commercial
carriers with flights to 108 destinations in 54 countries. Aeroflot
is proud to provide convenient, direct service to Moscow from 5
US cities with connecting flights to other destinations in Russia
and the CIS.
At Aeroflot, our commitment is to provide world-class
service and safety. Aeroflot pilots, technicians and other personnel
undergo rigorous training. For the last three years Aeroflot flight
safety level has been outstanding - 99.90% - 99.98% (well within
ICAO standards). Aeroflot boasts a fleet of more than 100 planes,
including new Boeing aircrafts. In 2000 alone, the company transported
5,100,900 passengers and 107,000 tons of cargo and mail.
Already a reputable partner of many global air carriers, Aeroflot is preparing
to join the Sky Team global alliance, formed by Air France, Delta Airlines,
Korean Air and Air Mexico by 2003.
History
February 9, 1923 is considered the official birth date of Russia's civil aviation
when the Labor and Defense Council issued a resolution "on empowering the
Central Air Fleet Administration to handle technical supervision over airlines
and on founding the Civil Aviation Council."
In the 1920s, after the end of World War I, European countries increasingly
used aviation for peaceful purposes; transporting passengers, mail and cargo.
Russia kept pace with its neighbors with flights abroad generally operated using
re-equipped warplanes.
On May 1, 1922, flights on the first international route, Moscow-Koenigsberg
(Germany at that time), were launched and later extended to include Berlin.
July 15, 1923, marked the introduction of the first regular domestic route
between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod.
On February 25, 1932, the Central Administration of Civil Air Fleet was founded
and an official abbreviation of the country's civil aviation was adopted - "Aeroflot".
In 1956 Aeroflot launched the world's first jet, the TU-104 for operation on
Russia's domestic and international routes.
In August 1959, Sheremetyevo airport was opened with the primary task of accommodating
interational flights.
In the late 1950s the world's largest aircraft TU-114, equipped with more efficient
turbo-prop engines, underwent rigorous testing and was launched into operation
by Aeroflot.
In January 1971, the Aeroflot Central Administration of International Air Traffic
was established within the framework of the International Airline Transportation
Administration, and became the industry's sole enterprise authorized to operate
international flights. Abroad the airline was known as "Aeroflot - Soviet
Airlines."
In 1980, Aeroflot was named general carrier of participants of the XXII Olympic
Games held in Moscow. A new international airport Sheremetyevo 2, capable of
simultaneously handling 31 aircraft of any type, was constructed in order to
welcome athletes and guests to the capital from all over the world. The official
opening ceremony was held on May 6.
In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, former Soviet republics and
regions in Russia began founding their own airline companies. Our company was
the successor to the name Aeroflot and trademark of the former Soviet air carrier.
In June of the same year the "Aeroflot - Soviet Airlines" Commercial
Production Alliance was created, which was transformed into the open stock company
"Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines" on July 28, 1992. At the
same time, the airline began operating foreign aircraft. The first foreign aircraft
to appear at Aeroflot were the leased A310-300 manufactured by Airbus Industry.
Two years later, the company acquired Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, which adhere
to the highest ecological and noise standards.
In 1994, the airline acquired Russian-made third generation Il-96-300 aircraft
for international flights, which fully adhere to the noise standards established
by the International Civil Aviation Organization. In late 1995, the airline
leased the DC-10-30F long-haul freight carrier.
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