Moscow Airways
Moscow Airways was a Russian airline established as an Aeroflot subsidiary that operated passenger, cargo, and charter services during the 1990s.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Moscow Airways was a Russian airline created as a subsidiary of Aeroflot during the restructuring of Soviet civil aviation in the early 1990s. Its initial role included operating aircraft formerly associated with Aeroflot, particularly Ilyushin Il-62 wide-body jets, while developing a separate commercial identity for passenger and airfreight services. The airline began operating in 1991, during a period when former Soviet aviation assets and operating divisions were being reorganized into separate companies. The airline combined scheduled and charter-oriented activity. Its network included international destinations such as Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The Jeddah operation had a specific repatriation role: Moscow Airways transported South African Muslim pilgrims home after their pilgrimage. The company also conducted passenger and cargo work using aircraft inherited or previously operated by Aeroflot. Its fleet and operating portfolio included an Ilyushin Il-76TD, registered RA-76498, which had been built in 1982 and was operated by Moscow Airways from 1993 to 1996. The airline also used a Tupolev Tu-154M, registered RA-85681, for passenger charter flights from Sheremetyevo International Airport. In 1993, Moscow Airways ordered 50 Beriev Be-32P aircraft, but the order did not result in completed or delivered aircraft because the type was never built for the airline. Moscow Airways ceased operations in 1996 following a fatal accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo involving an Antonov An-32 operated under a wet-lease arrangement. The aircraft, registered RA-26222, had been wet-leased from Moscow Airways to Scibe Airlift. On 8 January 1996, it crashed into a market shortly after taking off from N'Dolo Airport in Kinshasa. Approximately 300 people were killed. At the time of the accident, the Russian Ministry of Transport had suspended or withdrawn Moscow Airways' air operator's licence. The accident and the regulatory action marked the end of the airline's operating history. Moscow Airways is therefore best understood as a short-lived post-Soviet Russian airline rather than a continuing consumer brand. Its historical significance lies in the transition of Aeroflot-related aircraft and operations into separately branded carriers, its international passenger and cargo activity, and the serious safety and regulatory events that preceded its closure.
History
Moscow Airways emerged in 1991 as a subsidiary of Aeroflot, at a time when the Soviet aviation system was being broken up and reorganized into separately managed Russian airlines. The company was established to operate aircraft and services associated with Aeroflot while developing its own airline identity. Its initial fleet role centered on Aeroflot's Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft, and its activities covered both passenger transport and airfreight. The airline operated in a mixed market that included international passenger flying, cargo work, and charter services. By 1993, its destinations included Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The Jeddah service was used to transport South African Muslim pilgrims back home after their pilgrimage. This activity illustrates the airline's involvement in specialized international charter or transport operations in addition to ordinary passenger service. Moscow Airways also operated aircraft that had previously belonged to Aeroflot. From 1993 to 1996, it flew an Ilyushin Il-76TD registered RA-76498. The aircraft had been built in 1982 and supported the airline's cargo capability. The company also operated a Tupolev Tu-154M registered RA-85681 for passenger charter flights from Sheremetyevo International Airport. These aircraft reflected the continuing importance of Soviet-designed airliners and freighters in the early post-Soviet aviation market. In 1993, Moscow Airways placed an order for 50 Beriev Be-32P aircraft. The proposed order did not produce a new fleet because the aircraft were never built and therefore were not delivered to the airline. The failed acquisition appears in the airline's history as an example of the uncertainty surrounding fleet expansion and aircraft manufacturing during the period. The decisive event in Moscow Airways' history occurred on 8 January 1996. An Antonov An-32, registered RA-26222, had been wet-leased from Moscow Airways to Scibe Airlift. Shortly after departing N'Dolo Airport in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the aircraft crashed into a market. Approximately 300 people were killed. The incident was among the most serious events associated with the airline's aircraft-leasing operations. The accident also occurred in the context of regulatory action against Moscow Airways. The Russian Ministry of Transport had suspended or withdrawn the airline's air operator's licence at the time of the accident. Moscow Airways ceased operations in 1996, and no subsequent operating history is recorded for the airline. Its story consequently spans only a few years, from its formation during the post-Soviet restructuring of Aeroflot through its international passenger and cargo operations and eventual closure after the 1996 accident and licence action.
- 1996
Kinshasa market crash
[1]An Antonov An-32 wet-leased from Moscow Airways to Scibe Airlift crashes after takeoff from N'Dolo Airport, killing approximately 300 people.
- 1996
Operations cease
[1]Moscow Airways stops operating after the fatal accident; the Russian Ministry of Transport had suspended or withdrawn its air operator's licence.
- 1993
International destinations documented
[1]The airline's destinations include Sharjah and Jeddah, with Jeddah services used to return South African Muslim pilgrims after pilgrimage.
- 1993
Beriev Be-32P order placed
[1]Moscow Airways orders 50 Beriev Be-32P aircraft, none of which are built or delivered.
- 1991
Moscow Airways begins operations
[1]The Aeroflot subsidiary starts operating passenger and airfreight services.
Products and positioning
A post-Soviet Russian airline serving passenger, cargo, charter, and aircraft-leasing needs, with operations linked to Aeroflot's former fleet and international network.
Passenger airline services · 1991
Passenger air services
Moscow Airways carried passengers on international routes and other airline services during the 1990s. Destinations documented in the airline's history include Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The company also participated in specialized passenger movements, including the transport of South African Muslim pilgrims returning from pilgrimage.
Cargo airline services · 1991
Airfreight services
Airfreight was one of Moscow Airways' core operating activities from the beginning of its commercial history. Its use of an Ilyushin Il-76TD, registered RA-76498, provided a freighter platform suited to cargo operations. The aircraft was operated by Moscow Airways from 1993 to 1996 and had previously been associated with Aeroflot.
Charter airline services
Passenger charter flights
The airline operated passenger charter flights from Sheremetyevo International Airport using a Tupolev Tu-154M registered RA-85681. The aircraft had previously belonged to Aeroflot, reflecting Moscow Airways' reliance on aircraft transferred from the former Soviet national carrier.
Aircraft leasing and contracted operations
Aircraft wet-lease services
Moscow Airways supplied an Antonov An-32, registered RA-26222, to Scibe Airlift under a wet-lease arrangement. The aircraft was involved in the fatal 1996 Kinshasa accident, after which Moscow Airways ceased operations.
Controversies
1996
Kinshasa Antonov An-32 crash
On 8 January 1996, an Antonov An-32 wet-leased from Moscow Airways to Scibe Airlift crashed into a market shortly after taking off from N'Dolo Airport in Kinshasa. Approximately 300 people were killed. The Russian Ministry of Transport had suspended or withdrawn Moscow Airways' air operator's licence at the time, and the airline stopped operating after the accident.
Brand decisions
1996
Cessation of airline operationsStrategyBackground
The airline's aircraft was involved in a fatal wet-lease accident in Kinshasa, while the Russian Ministry of Transport had suspended or withdrawn Moscow Airways' air operator's licence.
Action taken
Moscow Airways stopped operating.
Aftermath
The airline became defunct and has no recorded subsequent operating activity.
1993
Order for Beriev Be-32P aircraftOtherBackground
Moscow Airways sought to expand or diversify its fleet during its early operating period.
Action taken
The airline ordered 50 Beriev Be-32P aircraft.
Aftermath
The order was not fulfilled because the aircraft were never built or delivered.
Recent events
- 1996
Moscow Airways operations end after fatal accident and licence action[1]
Regulation · Other
Moscow Airways stopped operating after the Kinshasa accident. The Russian Ministry of Transport had suspended or withdrawn the airline's air operator's licence.
- 1993
Moscow Airways orders Beriev Be-32P aircraft[1]
Other
The airline ordered 50 Beriev Be-32P aircraft, but the aircraft were never built or delivered.
- 1991
Moscow Airways begins passenger and airfreight operations[1]
Other
The Aeroflot subsidiary began operating passenger and airfreight services during the reorganization of Soviet and Russian civil aviation.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/moscow-airways · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled