Avianova Airbus A320 (EI-EEI)

The name written on the engine is in English language as it is Avianova's website. Names of all websites should be written out in English. However, the name shown on the fuselage is half-Cyrillic (авиа) and half-Latin (nova). Definitely, this is not a typo. The name was intentionally written that way as an integral part of the trademark.
As of today, the traffic figures of Avianova have not been released. However, the aggressive style of utilizing Avianova’s fleet could tell us something about the expected operation results.

Date: 28 October 2009 commenting on http://www.flickr.com/

An open letter to Sky Express and Avianova

Competition is the healthiest feature of the free-market economy. Monopoly may be as ugly as Dracula. So, let us welcome Avianova as a new addition to the Russian airline industry.

Whether Mr. Andrew Payne accidentally or deliberately ignored Sky Express, and irrespective of his subjective or objective opinions, he is free with his own beliefs to the maximum limit permissible by the applicable anti-slander laws.

Business rivals might tend to speak derogatorily about their competitors. They might apply a tactic of belittling or ignoring the existing competition. I would say that respecting the existing competition may create better results on the long run. Let us wait and see. What we know is that Sky Express carried 1,041,308 passengers in 2008 and ranked 13 among other Russian air carriers which is something yet to be achieved by most Russian airlines including Avianova.

With the advent of electronic ticketing, passengers do not receive tangible tickets at the time of purchase. The ticket purchase will be shown on their credit/debit cards as one total amount without details.
I checked today the lowest price of one way air fare from Moscow to Sochi for travel on 28 February 2010. The following have been found:
• Sky Express: 399.00 + 1100.00 taxes = 1499.00 rubles
• Avianova: 750.00 + 204.26 taxes = 954.26 rubles
• Aeroflot: 1500.00 + 924.00 taxes = 2424.00 rubles

The point here is not about air fares. It is about taxes instead. Putting Aeroflot aside as it flies from Sheremetyevo, the attention is drawn to 1100.00 rubles and 204.26 rubles of Sky Express and Avianova respectively as they both fly from Vnukovo Airport. What could be the reason for such huge discrepancy in the amount of taxes?
It is understood that airlines are free to set up their prices. The question if they are equally free to apply the applicable taxes.
So, being the first Russian Low Cost Carrier is not the concern for the customers. I am quite sure that they care more about the first transparent Russian air carrier?


Date: 18 October 2009 commenting on http://www.aviaport.ru/

Avianova Airbus A320 (EI-EEL)

As of 23 September 2009, the two Airbus A320 operated by Avianova are still owned by International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group (AIG).
Moreover, the Airbus A320-232 (registration EI-EEL) is still in the Irish registry and owned by ILFC.
It is true that US Airways was operating the same aircraft under the US registration. However, the aircraft (registration N605AW) was owned by the American branch of ILFC.

Date: 01 October 2009 commenting on http://www.flickr.com/