Russian Carrier Out of Business

Saratov Airlines has confirmed it will terminate all flight operations after Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) ordered it to suspend the sale of tickets for travel beyond May 31. In late March, the validity of Saratov Airlines' Air Operator's Certificate was first curbed until April 27 after a Rosaviatsia audit revealed numerous safety shortcomings in the carrier's operations. The date was later deferred to the end of this month to allow the carrier to rectify the shortcomings, CH-Aviation reported. As such, Saratov Airlines said in a statement on May 17 that it regards this latest directive as a precursor to the full-on revocation of its AOC. "In this regard, JSC Saratov Airlines' management has decided to shut down the company from May 31, 2018, with the forced laying-off of employees set for July 18," it said. "Thus, 1,200 highly qualified specialists will be on the street." The carrier also claimed that it has taken all the required measures to address, in due course, Rosaviatsia's comments. The demise of the carrier comes after the fatal crash of one of its An-148-100s in February which killed all 71 passengers and crew onboard.