Dobrolet (Moscow Sheremetyevo) is expected to secure its Air Operators Certificate from Russia's regulators ahead of a delayed June launch. Previous reports had pointed to a May début but that has now been postponed until June in the wake of the startup's ongoing certification.
The Aeroflot (SU, Moscow Sheremetyevo) subsidiary has eight B737-800 WIN.s on order with the first to be unveiled at month-end while the rest are due in May, August, September, October and November.
In a bid to encourage the development of Low Cost Carriers within the country, Russia's State Duma recently amended the country's air-code to allow the use of non-refundable tickets as well as the employment of foreign pilots by local airlines.
According to Izvetsia newspaper, the two amendments are expected to come into effect in 60 days and 90 days respectively.
While foreign pilots will be able to work for Russian carriers for periods of up to five years, Moscow will impose quotas as a means of protecting its local labour market. Backed by strong domestic growth, Russian training schools have been unable to supply enough qualified pilots to local carriers.
