Ural Airlines Board of Directors decided to gradually do away with its TU 154B airplanes; three planes have already been written off, with the remaining eight planes to follow suit by 2010. These are to be replaced with the medium-range Airbus A320 liners.

‘We go for Airbus planes since they are quite fuel-efficient (two times better than the Russian counterparts) and relatively low on harmful emissions; the noise is kept at the minimum level; then, there is a very smooth and clear maintenance system, and, besides, these liners can boast a comfortable cabin and strict safety requirements,’ Ural Airlines’ press officer says.

It has also been reported that switching to Airbus A320 planes at least partly has already resulted in more flexible pricing policies, making a whole range of tickets to different destinations considerably cheaper.