Kommersant.ru | September 27, 2013
Aeroflot Hand-Picks CEOs for DOBROLET and Aurora
Vitaly Saveliev, CEO Aeroflot reports that the main candidate for the post of Head of the newly created low-cost carrier is Vladimir Gorbunov, former CEO of the Russian low-coster Avianova. Mr Saveliev announced about this on the sidelines of an investment forum, held in Sochi. According to him, Mr Gorbunov is now his adviser.
Vladimir Gorbunov was CEO of the second Russian discounter during the entire period of its existence from 2009 to 2011 (the first one, SkyExpress, lasted 3 years longer – from 2006 to 2011). Avianova was closed because of the conflict between the shareholders A1 (51%; part of Alfa Group) and the American investment fund Indigo Partners (49%).
The launch of a new low-budget project by Aeroflot is scheduled for 2014. According to industry sources, the company will be called Dobrolet. Aeroflot’s predecessor, the Russian Association of Voluntary Aircraft Fleet bore the same name in 1920-s. The implementation of the project requires a number of amendments to the existing legislation. What is meant is the permission to sell non-refundable tickets, charge for baggage, not to provide meals on board and hire foreign pilots. According to Vitaly Saveliev, the new low-coster will be based in the Moscow region. Its fleet will consist of 8 new Boeings 737 or Airbuses 320. The company is interested in weighted price of the aircraft according to Mr Savelyev. Total investment in establishment of the airline will amount to $100 million.
Mr. Saveliev also said that the single Far East carrier under the name Aurora will be managed by Konstantin Sukhorebrik, CEO of Sakhalin Airlines. According to industry sources, the idea of creating a Far Eastern company has been there for over 15 years and originally it belonged to Mr Sukhorebrik.
Dmitry Akopov, CEO of recruitment consulting company Jacobson Partners, believes the appointment of Vladimir Gorbunov was expected. According to the expert, in Avianova Mr Gorbunov and his team had a unique experience in creating low-cost carriers (learning the hard way), which to date no one else in the Russian market has. The expert added that the involvement of foreign experts in this situation would be not so justified. One of the key competencies of the team may be a "profound knowledge of Russian specifics, including passenger traffic," said Mr. Akopov.
Read more: www.kommersant.ru/doc/2307674.