Ak Bars Aero (Bugulma) will suspend scheduled operations with effect from January 12, 2015, with reservations having been closed on December 29, 2014. The move to pull out of the passenger flights sector was brought on by the weakening Russian Rouble which had resulted in foreign currency-denominated costs soaring. In addition, a significant fall in demand for flights had also played a key role in its decision the carrier said.
"It is important to understand that we are talking about the suspension of flight operations, not bankruptcy or a liquidation of the company. For example, aircraft maintenance bases at Kazan International, Nizhnekamsk, and Bugulma airports will continue performing maintenance for our own aircraft and those of other airlines," it said. "Thus, it is more expedient to cease [passenger] operations so as not to generate losses. In a similar way as other Russian regional carriers."
The Russian operator said in a statement that it will now lease out its Cessna (single turboprop) 208B Grand Caravan and fleet of seventeen CRJ200s to other domestic carriers.
As it stands, Yamal Airlines (YC, Salekhard) will assume AK Bars Aero's daily service from Bugulma to Moscow Domodedovo with effect from January 14.
Up until its pull out, the carrier had operated scheduled and charter services through out central Russia and western Siberia.
