Transaero Airlines orders four Airbus A380s

Transaero Airlines of Russia has completed a purchase agreement with Airbus for four A380 aircraft. The agreement was signed earlier by Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines chief executive and Christopher Buckley, Airbus’ executive vice president Europe, Asia and the Pacific at the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg. The order follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2011, and will be financed with the support of VEB Leasing. With the order, Transaero becomes the first customer for the A380 in Russia, the CIS and Eastern Europe. The Russian carrier plans to start operations with the A380 on its long-range network of high density routes from Moscow. The aircraft will feature a three class cabin layout, seating about 700 passengers. “Our airline, with its strong innovation culture, will be the first in Russia to fly the A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft,” said Pleshakova. “I am sure that the operation of the A380 will stimulate the development of Russia’s aviation sector, in particular, its ground infrastructure. “In addition, our passengers will benefit from the completely new air travel experience that the A380 offers with its spacious, comfortable cabin, for their long-haul flights.” Transaero Airlines launched its services in November 1991, and currently serves more than 130 routes all over the world. Including this order for four A380 from Transaero, the total A380 order book stands at 257 aircraft from 20 customers worldwide. To date, Airbus has delivered 77 aircraft to eight customers.