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{{Distinguish|Dobrolet Cargo Airlines}} |
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{{inuse}} |
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{{Infobox airline |
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{{Infobox airline |
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| airline = Dobrolet |
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| airline = Dobrolet |
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| ICAO = DOB |
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| ICAO = DOB |
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| callsign = |
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| callsign = |
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| founded = 4 October 2013 |
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| founded = October 2013 |
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| commenced = 10 June 2014 |
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| commenced = |
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| ceased = 4 August 2014 |
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| ceased = August 4th, 2014 |
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| aoc = |
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| aoc = |
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| bases = ] |
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| bases = ] |
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| subsidiaries = |
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| subsidiaries = |
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| fleet_size = 3 |
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| fleet_size = 3 |
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| destinations = 2 |
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| destinations = 9 |
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| company_slogan = |
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| parent = ] |
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| parent = ] |
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| headquarters = ], ] |
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| headquarters = {{RUS}}, ] |
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| key_people = Andrey Kalmykov (CEO) |
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| key_people = Andrey Kalmykov (CEO) |
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'''Dobrolet LLC''' ({{lang-ru|ООО «Добролет»}}) was a Russian low-cost airline based at ] and a subsidiary of ]. It operated scheduled flights to domestic destinations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dobrolet.com/media/11593/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2.pdf |title= Расписание движения воздушных судов ООО "Добролет" напериод 11.06.2014 - 25.10.2014 |trans-title= Timetables aircraft JSC "Dobrolet" for the period 11.06.2014 - 25.10.2014 |language=ru |publisher=Добролет |date=2014-06-24 |accessdate=2014-08-05}}</ref> |
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'''Dobrolet''' ({{lang-ru|Добролёт}}) was a Russian low-cost airline based at ] and a subsidiary of ]. It operated scheduled flights to domestic destinations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dobrolet.com/media/11593/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2.pdf |title= Расписание движения воздушных судов ООО "Добролет" напериод 11.06.2014 - 25.10.2014 |trans-title= Timetables aircraft JSC "Dobrolet" for the period 11.06.2014 - 25.10.2014 |language=ru |publisher=Добролет |date=2014-06-24 |accessdate=2014-08-05}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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==History== |
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The airline was founded in the autumn of 2013 by Aeroflot, the Russian ] airline based in Moscow. Dobrolet started operations in May 2014 on a Boeing 737-800NG. |
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===Background=== |
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] meeting with ] ] at ] in October 2012, during which discussions surrounding what would eventually lead to the creation of Dobrolet were held.]] |
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The operation of ]s (LCC) in Russia to date has not been met with success.<ref name=rbth-17july2014>{{cite news|last1=Karnaukh|first1=Maria|title=Flying the 'good flight' on Dobrolet|url=http://rbth.com/business/2014/07/17/flying_the_good_flight_on_dobrolet_38275.html|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=17 July 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ShWtMilt|archivedate=19 September 2014}}</ref> ] was the first attempt at a Russian low-cost airline and began operations in 2007; it ceased operations in October 2011 after experiencing financial difficulties with all aircraft and flights being transferred to ].<ref name=capa-dec2012>{{cite news|title=Kuban Airlines ceases operations, the last vestige of LCC SkyExpress? UTair gains most|url=http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/kuban-airlines-ceases-operations-the-last-vestige-of-lcc-skyexpress-utair-gains-most-92299|accessdate=17 September 2014|publisher=]|date=19 December 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Sexa2ZAv|archivedate=18 September 2014}}</ref> ], founded in 2009 and the fastest growing low-cost airline in Russia, ceased operations twenty days before SkyExpress due to unresolvable disputes between its shareholders; the Russian A1 Investments and the US-based ].<ref name=capa-dec2012 /> |
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The name "Dobrolet" extends all the way back to 1923 when the ] was founded. |
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In October 2012, Aeroflot General-Director ] held a meeting with ] ] at ] of the latter at which the operations of the Russian ] and the creation of conditions optimal for the operation of ]s in Russia were discussed. During the meeting Savelyev told Putin that Aeroflot was committed to staying a full-service premium airline, but given the right legislative conditions the flag carrier would be ready to launch a low-cost airline in a six to twelve month period.<ref name=putinmeeting-oct2012>{{cite web|title=Meeting with General Director of Aeroflot Vitaly Savelyev|url=http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/4567|website=Kremlin.ru|publisher=]|accessdate=17 September 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Sez93V7r|archivedate=17 September 2014|date=26 October 2012}}</ref> |
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The European Union blacklisted Dobrolet on July 30, 2014 as part of a sanctions package against Russia. Dobrolet was the exclusive operator of flights between Moscow and Simferopol. As a result of the sanctions, the leasing of Boeing aircrafts used by the company was cancelled by partners, and on 4 August 2014 the company announced that it was ceasing all the operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2538346|title=«Добролет» сядет в полночь|last=Попов|first=Егор|date=3 August 2014|publisher=]|language=Russian|accessdate=3 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="globeandmail2014-08-04">{{cite news|url= http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/grounding-of-russian-airline-first-corporate-casualty-of-eu-sanctions/article19909362/ |title= Grounding of Russian airline first corporate casualty of EU sanctions | author=Eric Reguly | date= 2014-08-04 |accessdate=2014-08-04 |work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto}}</ref> Nevertheless, on 6 August the company announced it has ordered sixteen new ] airplanes to be produced in 2017-2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://top.rbc.ru/economics/06/08/2014/941328.shtml|title=«Добролет» купит у Boeing 16 новых самолетов|date=6 August 2014|publisher=RBC|language=Russian|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> |
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Experts had attributed part of the failure of SkyExpress and Avianova to unfavourable legislative conditions, and during the course of the meeting Savelyev noted the legislative changes which would need to implemented to create favourable conditions for the establishment of a true low-cost airline in Russia.<ref name=rbth-17july2014 /><ref name=putinmeeting-oct2012 /> Amongst them, Article 108 of the Russian Air Code would need to be amended in order to allow airlines to sell passengers non-refundable tickets and Article 56 of the Russian Air Code would need to be amended to allow the hiring of foreign pilots. Federal aviation rules would need amending to allow for airlines to charge passengers for baggage, who were then allowed to check in 10 kilograms for no charge, and rules would need to be amended to allow airlines not to serve meals on board, something which was then prohibited. Additionally, it was Savelyev's contention that low-cost airlines should operate from their own airport, in order to keep ] to a minimum,<ref name=putinmeeting-oct2012 /> and for import duties on aircraft with more than 170 seats to be scrapped.<ref name=lenta-30nov2012 /> |
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Such changes were expected to hit obstacles as numerous government ministries had expressed their opposition to such changes{{mdash}}the Ministry of Transport was opposed to relaxing conditions on the serving of inflight meals and free luggage allowances; the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Industry were opposed to abolishing import duties on aircraft as this would impact on the ] program; and the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare and the Federal Antimonolopy Service were against the introduction of a non-refundable ticket regime in Russia.<ref name=lenta-30nov2012 /> However, for his part, Putin agreed with Savelyev that numerous legislative changes should be looked at, but was hesitant to lend his support on the idea of the hiring of foreign pilots as he stated this would require further indepth discussions and negotiations with the relevant trade unions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aeroflot's plans for low cost airline in Russia needs new legislation|url=http://rt.com/business/aeroflot-low-cost-plan-968/|accessdate=20 September 2014|work=]|date=30 November 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Siolrvbb|archivedate=20 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=lenta-30nov2012>{{cite news|title="Аэрофлот" рассказал Путину о способах создания лоукостера в России|url=http://lenta.ru/news/2012/11/30/lowcoster/|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=30 November 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ShcqDrA6|archivedate=19 September 2014|language=Russian}}</ref> |
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===Formation=== |
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On 17 September 2013, Savelyev announced that the Aeroflot board had resolved at its August meeting that the company would begin planning of a stand-alone low-cost airlines -- it would not be carved out of the mainline company -- and that the board had committed itself to allocating funding for the project in 2013, and further in 2014 from the company's budget.<ref name=itartass-10oct2013 /> |
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Dobrolet, LLC was registered on 4 October 2013 with Aeroflot as the only shareholder.<ref name=itartass-10oct2013>{{cite news|title="Аэрофлот" зарегистрировал лоукостер "Добролет"|url=http://itar-tass.com/ekonomika/688584|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=10 October 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ShP0MiMe|archivedate=19 September 2014|location=]|language=Russian}}</ref> On 10 October 2013, Savelyev acknowledged the formation of the company and publicly announced that the name of the Aeroflot's new stand-alone low-cost airline would be Dobrolet; the same name as ] which itself preceded the formation of Aeroflot,<ref name=itartass-10oct2013 /><ref name=reuters10june2014 /> and whose name translates loosely to ''good flight''.<ref name=rbth-17july2014 /> It was announced that it was expected for the airline to launch flights in 2014 with flights from Moscow to 8 Russian cities -- ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], whilst expanding its network in the second year of operation to 19 destinations, and furthermore to 26 destinations in its third year.<ref name=itartass-10oct2013 /> The airline also expected to begin foreign flights in 2016 to destinations such as ], ], ] and ].<ref name=itartass-10oct2013 /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Luhn|first1=Alec|title=Russia's Aeroflot to launch budget airline amid effort to revamp brand|url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/29/russia-aeroflot-budget-airline|accessdate=20 September 2014|work=]|date=30 July 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Sin4qmvl|archivedate=20 September 2014|location=]}}</ref> |
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Following the accession of the ] and ] to the Russian Federation, on 27 March 2014 ] ] instructed ] and Aeroflot to submit proposals to the ] on transport accessibility to the two new ], and in the case of Aeroflot the proposal should see "a larger number of flights in Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, particularly with the use of a low-budget air carrier."<ref>{{cite news|title=Medvedev instructs to propose more flights in Crimea within a week|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/725513|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=27 March 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SiGFIMiF|archivedate=19 September 2014|location=]}}</ref> |
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Ticket sales for the first route from Moscow to Simferopol went on sale on 26 May 2014 with one-way fares ranging between 999 and 3,499 rubles, and it was reported that within 24 hours some four thousand tickets were sold.<ref name=rt-27052014>{{cite news|title=New Russian budget airline Dobrolet charges $60 for Crimea flights|url=http://rt.com/business/161700-dobroilet-moscow-crimea-cheap/|accessdate=18 September 2014|publisher=]|date=27 May 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Sg2d7PU1|archivedate=18 September 2014}}</ref> All fares included one piece of carry-on luggage weighing up to 10 kilograms, with all other extras such as meals and pre-flight seat selection attracting additional charges.<ref name=rbth-17july2014 /> |
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===Commencement of operations=== |
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] ] inspected the Boeing 737-800 on 10 June 2014 at Sheremetyevo International Airport, prior to the inaugural flight to Simferopol.<ref name=medvedev-june2014>{{cite web|title=Dmitry Medvedev sees off the first Moscow-Simferopol flight of the budget airline Dobrolet|url=http://government.ru/en/news/12983/|website=Government.ru|accessdate=18 September 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SfvIFGwE|archivedate=18 September 2014|date=10 June 2014|location=], ], ]}}</ref>]] |
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Dobrolet operated its first commercial flight on the Moscow to Simferopol route on 10 June 2014.<ref name=atw-10june2014>{{cite news|last1=Borodina|first1=Polina|title=Aeroflot subsidiary Dobrolet launches flights|url=http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/aeroflot-subsidiary-dobrolet-launches-flights|accessdate=18 September 2014|work=]|date=10 June 2014}}</ref> Prior to the flight, which was fully booked, the aircraft was inspected by ] ], who also greeted Dobrolet customers who were booked on the flight.<ref name=medvedev-june2014 /> After inspecting the aircraft, Medvedev is reported as saying "The plane is cool, it's completely new. Its seats are narrow, but the flights aren't very long so I hope everything will be OK."<ref name=reuters10june2014>{{cite news|last1=Novik|first1=Gennady|last2=Winning|first2=Alexander|title=Russia's new low-cost airline makes maiden flight to Crimea|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/10/russia-airlines-crimea-idUSL5N0OR2TK20140610|accessdate=19 September 2014|date=10 June 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ShPqoqeY|archivedate=19 September 2014|location=]}}</ref> |
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===EU sanctions and shutdown=== |
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], and put into service on that airlines' routes. Boeing 737-800 (VQ-BTG) is seen here at ] on 18 August 2014 in a hybrid Dobrolet-Orenair livery operating an Orenair flight.]] |
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In the aftermath of the unsolved shootdown on 17 July 2014 of ] in ], on 30 July 2014 the ] ], amongst them Dobrolet, LLC.<ref name=flight-30july2014>{{cite news|last1=Kaminski-Morrow|first1=David|title=Dobrolet and missile-launcher firm hit by EU sanctions|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dobrolet-and-missile-launcher-firm-hit-by-eu-sanctions-402219/|accessdate=18 September 2014|work=]|date=30 July 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SgKnuQdZ|archivedate=18 September 2014}}</ref> The EU justified the sanctions on Dobrolet as it was state-owned and Dobrolet had operated only on the Moscow to Simferopol route, which in the view of the EU facilitates what it deemed to be the illegal ] into the ] and thereby it deems the act of flights to Crimea to be supporting the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty.<ref name=flight-30july2014 /> |
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In accordance with the EU sanctions, European partners of Dobrolet began to cancel contracts they held with the airline, covering aircraft leasing, maintenance and insurance. Irish-based ] cancelled leasing agreements for a 737-800, and ] cancelled agreements to provide ] on the Dobrolet Boeing-fleet.<ref name=rbth-5aug2014>{{cite news|last1=Lossan|first1=Alexei|title=EU sanctions force Russia’s only low-cost airline to halt operations|url=http://rbth.com/international/2014/08/05/eu_sanctions_force_russias_only_low-cost_airline_to_halt_operat_38781.html|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=5 August 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Si4Fjej7|archivedate=19 September 2014}}</ref> Due to the sanctions and the resultant contract cancellations by its partners, on 3 August 2014 the management of Dobrolet announced that all flight operations would cease as of the next day.<ref name=ria-03aug2014>{{cite news|title=Russia’s Dobrolet Suspends All Flights Since August 4 Amid Sanctions|url=http://en.ria.ru/world/20140803/191677745/Russias-Dobrolet-Suspends-All-Flights-Since-August-4-Amid-Sanctions.html|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=3 August 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ShTqS7Te|archivedate=19 September 2014|location=]}}</ref> With this announcement, Dobrolet became the first company to cease operations due to EU sanctions, leading Moscow to threaten more tit-for-tat sanctions in response.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaufmann|first1=Dirk|title=Russia retaliates against EU sanctions|url=http://www.dw.de/russia-retaliates-against-eu-sanctions/a-17833608|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=5 August 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SiBz58n8|archivedate=19 September 2014}}</ref> |
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At the time of the shutdown, the airline had managed to sell some 95,000 tickets.<ref name=itartass-16sept /> It was announced that ticket holders for Dobrolet flights from Moscow to Simferopol and Volgograd would have their flights provided by ] until 15 September and 20 August, respectively. Other customers with paid for flights past these dates, and including flights to destinations for which service had not yet begun, would receive a full refund.<ref name=kommersant-03aug2014>{{cite news|last1=Popov|first1=Yegor|title=«Добролет» сядет в полночь|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2538346|accessdate=19 September 2014|work=]|date=3 August 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Si6fdPiM|archivedate=19 September 2014|language=Russian}}</ref> |
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Nevertheless, on 6 August the company announced it has ordered sixteen new ] airplanes to be produced in 2017-2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://top.rbc.ru/economics/06/08/2014/941328.shtml|title=«Добролет» купит у Boeing 16 новых самолетов|date=6 August 2014|publisher=RBC|language=Russian|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> |
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===Post shutdown and future plans=== |
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On 16 September 2014, it was announced that Aeroflot had registered a new company, ООО «Бюджетный перевозчик» ({{lang-en|Budget Carrier, LLC}}).<ref name=itartass-16sept>{{cite news|title="Аэрофлот" создал компанию ООО "Бюджетный перевозчик"|url=http://itar-tass.com/ekonomika/1445685|accessdate=18 September 2014|agency=]|date=16 September 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SfxhMdg7|archivedate=18 September 2014|location=]|language=Russian}}</ref> |
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== Destinations == |
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== Destinations == |
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==References== |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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==External links== |
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* {{official website|http://www.dobrolet.com}} |
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* {{official website|www.dobrolet.com}} {{en icon}} {{ru icon}} |
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{{Airlines of Russia}} |
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{{Airlines of Russia}} |
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{{Russia-airline-stub}} |
The European Union blacklisted Dobrolet on July 30, 2014 as part of a sanctions package against Russia. Dobrolet was the exclusive operator of flights between Moscow and Simferopol. As a result of the sanctions, the leasing of Boeing aircrafts used by the company was cancelled by partners, and on 4 August 2014 the company announced that it was ceasing all the operations. Nevertheless, on 6 August the company announced it has ordered sixteen new Boeing 737-800 airplanes to be produced in 2017-2018.
Russia, Moscow![[REDACTED]](https://u3vuiephb.global.ssl.fastly.net/File:Dobrolet_logo_(English).png){kind=link}
