The history of the former Russian carrier Vladivostok Air

Vladivostok Air was, at one time, the largest airline in the Russian Far East and Siberia, operating domestic flights around Russia as well as flights as far away as Africa, Asia and the ‘Europe. Its home was at Vladivostok International Airport, although it also had hubs at Moscow Sheremetyevo and Khabarovsk Novy International.

This historic carrier was born in 1932 on the initiative of Aeroflot. However, it gained independence and changed its name to Vladivostok Air in 1992. It ceased operations in 2013 when, together with SAT Airlines, it was reformed to become the base for the new airline Aurora.

Origins of the airline

In the 1930s, a large number of airports were being built throughout the USSR. Particular attention has been paid to the regions of the Far East and Siberia, with a view to improving connectivity between these communities and Moscow. A seaplane port was built in the Second River area of ​​Vladivostok, while a land airport was built near the city, named Ozernye Klyuchi, which means Lake Springs.

A seaplane made its first flight on August 27, 1932, and this plane carried four passengers from Khabarovsk to the Second River airport marking on September 2, 1932. Although not named as such, it would be the precursor to Vladivostok Air; humble beginnings, but the beginning of a long and fruitful history.

The Polikarpov Po-2 aircraft entered service in 1934, when the Second River airport was moved to a dry location. Ozernye Klyuchi Airport (now part of Vladivostok International) opened, as did Iman (now known as Dalnerechensk), which helped fuel the advances of this first airline.

With the start of World War II, connecting Vladivostok with Moscow became an urgent requirement for the country, allowing troop movements and supplying the city with basic necessities. As such, the carrier began passenger flights between Vladivostok and Moscow in 1948, using Ilyushin Il-12 aircraft. It then added Antonov An-2s and Lisunov Li-2s, and started helicopter services with the Mil Mi-1, Mi-4 and Kamov Ka-15.

Enter the age of the jet

After the war, the airline acquires its first jet planes, starting with the Tu-104 and the Tu-114D. With more opportunities to fly further and faster, the airline’s growth has been rapid. To support this, Ozernye Klychi Airport added ground facilities and a brick terminal to support its passenger capacity. This airport is now known as Vladivostok International.

It continued to operate a robust helicopter service, using these aircraft as flying cranes and ambulances, often in support of Russia’s whaling and fishing industry.

In the 1970s, the airline purchased Tu-154s as well as new Yakolev Yak-40s and Mil Mi-8s. By 1985, the airport had opened a second runway, and its local carrier was definitely on the rise. This was further reinforced by the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. This allowed Vladivostok Air to begin international services, fueling its rapid expansion. In 1995, it purchased its first long-haul aircraft, the Tu-154M.

In the 21st century

The airline entered the new millennium with the objective of modernizing its fleet. This included the addition of the Tupolev Tu-204-300. In fact, it was the first airline in the world to operate this aircraft and had a fleet of 6 in total. The airline suffered a setback in 2001 when Vladivostok Air Flight 352, a Tu-154, crashed while trying to land in Irkutsk, killing all 145 people on board.

In 2007, it leased an Airbus A320, becoming the first airline to operate a foreign-made aircraft in Russia’s Far East. Over the next few years, it will operate 8 of the Airbus models. This modernization saw the completion of its transition from a small regional airline to a global competitor and the largest company in Russia’s Far East. In 2009, it carried more than 900,000 passengers a year, also winning the Wings of Russia award for “Airline of the Year – Passengers’ Choice”.

José Luis Celada Euba via Flickr"' data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-img-caption='""'>

Despite the global financial crisis of 2008, the airline still managed to increase its passenger traffic by 36.6% between 2008 and 2009. The load factor had also increased by 9.5% and its revenues were higher by almost 40% to those of the previous year. The airline added Airbus A330-300 service, and in 2010 it signed an interlining agreement with United Airlines to consolidate its flying position between Russia and the United States.

This strong performance made the airline an attractive investment opportunity, and in 2011 Aeroflot acquired a majority stake. It was the beginning of the end for Vladivostok Air. Aeroflot intended to turn it into a regional carrier and eliminate its long-haul flights, and planned to merge it with SAT Airlines to become the flag carrier’s Far East regional airline. In December 2013 it ceased operations and eventually many of its assets and staff formed the basis of the new airline Aurora.

The Vladivostok Air fleet

Over the years, Vladivostok Air has operated a large number and variety of aircraft. However, records specifying exactly what the airline operated and when are scarce. ATDB.aero data lists 51 cells that we know of, namely:

• Il-76 x 3
• Tu-154 x 14
• Tu-204-300 x 6
• An-24 x 3
• Airbus A320-200 x8
• Airbus A330-300 x 3
• Mil Mi-8×11
• Yakovlev Yak-40×13

She also ordered 4 Antonov An-148s at the MAKS Airshow in September 2009, a regional jet which made its maiden flight in 2004. It was designed to carry 68 to 85 passengers between 1,100 and 2,700 miles depending on its configuration. However, following a crash in 2016, all An-148s and An-158s were grounded in Russia.

It seems that at this time the new airline Aurora did not take delivery of the four originally ordered. Then the An-148 ceased production in 2018 after relations between Russia and Ukraine soured. The four aircraft originally ordered by Vladivostok Air have gone down in history.