Red Wings Airlines (WZ, Moscow Domodedovo) CEO Evgeny Klyucharev says his airline is looking to secure RUB1.5billion (USD24.8 million) in guarantees from the Russian state to aid in its fleet expansion plans.

According to the Vedomosti news service, Klyucharev said the funds would be used to acquire additional SSJ 100/95s though the quantity of funds disbursed would depend on the number of aircraft being ordered from Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (Zhukovsky).

The carrier recently took delivery of its second of three ex-Moskovia Airlines (Zhukovsky) Super Jets on lease from Sukhoi. It is reportedly planning to acquire a further seven over the next two years, the service said.

Should the loan application be approved, funding would extended via one of Russia's state-owned banks but if not, Klyucharev said, it would seek out other locally-based options.

Red Wings currently operates an all-Russian fleet of two SSJ 100-95s and nine Tu-204s on scheduled passenger and cargo charter flights throughout Russia, the Mediterranean, and Eastern Europe.