S7 Airlines to be first A320neo family operator in Russia

S7 Airlines has agreed to lease three A321neos from Air Lease Corp. (ALC) and has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for two A320neos, making S7 the first A320neo family operator in Russia. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in spring 2017. S7’s A321neo will seat 203 passengers in two-class configuration, while the A320neo will seat 164 passengers in two classes. S7 Airlines CEO Vladimir Obyedkov said the “A320 family is a core of S7 Airlines fleet. The A320neo offers more advantages [such as a decrease in fuel consumption and increase in flying range].” He also said that “from the passenger’s standpoint it provides a comfortable cabin and the lowest noise level in that aircraft range. We plan to replace all A320 family aircraft with A320neo,” he said. S7 includes Sibir and Globus airlines, which carried 10.6m passengers in 2015, up 5.6% year-over-year. On March 31, S7 announced a Boeing 737 fleet increase. With six additional 737s, the group’s fleet comprises 64 aircraft, including 19 737-800s, two 767s and 43 A320 family aircraft.<br/>