AZUR Air

Azur Air (IATA: ZF), Russia's leading charter airline for leisure travel, traces its roots to 1992 when it launched as Katekavia, a regional carrier based in Krasnoyarsk serving Siberia's remote routes. Starting operations in 1995 from Krasnoyarsk Cheremshanka and Yemelyanovo Airports, it expanded with Tu-134s and An-24s, but faced challenges including a tragic 2010 crash and harsh Siberian incidents like passengers pushing a frozen plane in -52°C.

Rebranded as Azur Air in 2015 under Turkish tour operator Anex Touristik, it pivoted to international charters from Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport (VKO), its primary hub. Specializing in sun-soaked destinations like Turkey, Egypt, Thailand, and Goa, Azur Air caters to package holidaymakers with high-density economy configurations on its Boeing fleet: Boeing 757-200s (238 seats) for medium-haul and Boeing 767-300ERs (336 seats) for longer routes, plus a stored 737-800.

What sets Azur Air apart is its rapid transformation from gritty regional operator to a key player in Russia's outbound tourism, carrying millions annually pre-sanctions. However, geopolitical tensions since 2022—EU bans, US restrictions on Boeing parts, and lessor recalls—have grounded parts of its fleet (11 active of 18 as of 2026), shrinking its network. Despite an aging fleet averaging 28.8 years and passenger complaints about cramped seats, dated cabins, and basic amenities, its affordable charters remain popular for value-driven Russian travelers. Safety concerns linger from past incidents, but it endures as a resilient fixture in Russia's aviation landscape.