Russian aviation: Transaero's Flight of the Phoenix, S7 Total Rebranding & More

Many former Transaero aircraft are in storage in Spain

Time to look again at Russian airlines, as there have been some interesting moves in the last few weeks...

Is Transaero set to make a comeback?

Or so says its current administrator. What used to be Russia's second largest airline hasn't been flying for months, following its bankruptcy, but some people within the company have not given up completely.

Even if, like a phoenix, Transaero comes back to the market, it is unlikely to be its former self, routes to the Far East of Russia may be its primary focus, and it has also been suggested it could become a MC-21 operator. 

S7 prepares a total rebranding

Whether Transaero comes back or not, the second position in the Russian market currently belongs to S7. The airline, property of the Filev family, is known for its bright light green aircraft, with an equally red circle enclosing the corporate logo. 

This eye-catching colour scheme is, allegedly, going to be discontinued and a new, still mostly green, but most sober livery will take its place.

S7 current colour scheme, soon to be replaced

According to Russian newspaper Vedomosti, that learned of this corporate identity change from company sources, S7 has been growing, it is a more mature company now and it wants to transmit the idea that it is not just a brand for young travelers.

Really looking forward to the new brand being unveiled then.

Nordavia becomes a low cost airline

Nordavia currently operates Boeing 737s, but may be switching to MC-21 over the coming years

A former Aeroflot subsidiary that has been changing hands a few times, last one this year from industrial conglomerate Nornickel to the same group that manages Red Wings Airlines.

Nordavia had traditionally been focused in serving regional routes to and from the North-West of Russia, but under new management it is getting ready to become a low cost airline and also considering expanding into new markets, like Northern Scandinavia.