Nordavia
Russian scheduled passenger airline formerly operated under the Nordavia brand and rebranded as Smartavia in 2019.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Nordavia was the former operating brand of a Russian scheduled passenger airline now known as Smartavia. The airline is headquartered in Arkhangelsk and has historically focused on domestic and regional services within Russia. Although the Nordavia name is no longer the airline's principal public brand, it remains important to the company's corporate history and identity transition. The airline traces its origins to the formation of the Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron in 1963. In 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the organization became AVL Arkhangelsk Airlines, also known in Russian as Arkhangelskie Vozdushnye Linii. Its early role was closely connected with air transport in and around the Arkhangelsk region, where scheduled aviation has been important because of the area's size, climate, geography, and dispersed population. A major change came in August 2004, when Aeroflot acquired a 51 percent stake. The airline was renamed Aeroflot-Nord and became Aeroflot's second regional airline. This arrangement connected the carrier to Russia's largest airline group while preserving its regional operating role. The relationship was damaged by the crash of Aeroflot Flight 821 on 14 September 2008. The Boeing 737 operating the service crashed while approaching Perm Airport, killing all 88 people aboard. The flight was operated under a combined service arrangement involving Aeroflot and the regional carrier. In 2009, Russian aviation authorities imposed operational restrictions on the then Aeroflot-Nord operation, citing security and financial concerns and including a prohibition on international charter operations. Aeroflot subsequently distanced itself from the subsidiary, and the Aeroflot contract ended on 1 December 2009. After the end of the Aeroflot relationship, the airline operated independently as Nordavia. In June 2011, Aeroflot sold it to Norilsk Nickel. The reported headline transaction value was later reduced substantially in connection with the assumption of the company's debt. A proposed combination with Taimyr Air Company was reported in December 2011, but Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service blocked the merger. Nordavia was ultimately sold in March 2016 to Sergey Kuznetsov, the owner of Red Wings Airlines. The subsequent period was characterized by attempts to strengthen the relationship between Nordavia and Red Wings. In 2017, the companies announced plans for a merger and a new Nordavia identity based on blue, orange, and gray colors, with a livery intended to move away from the airline's Aeroflot heritage. The proposed combination was not completed. On 20 March 2019, the cancellation of the merger was announced, and Nordavia began a broader rebranding to Smartavia. The first aircraft in the new livery appeared in April 2019, and the replacement of the previous identity was intended to be completed by the end of that year. Under the Smartavia name, the airline repositioned itself as a low-cost carrier. It retired its Boeing 737-500 aircraft by 2021 and began introducing Airbus A320neo aircraft in April of that year. In May 2021, management presented plans for a much larger Airbus fleet and discussed phasing out Boeing aircraft. The airline also announced plans in September 2021 to expand its bases, including a new Moscow-Sheremetyevo hub and additional bases in Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Samara, and Sochi. The carrier's principal bases have included Arkhangelsk Airport, Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg, and Sheremetyevo International Airport serving Moscow. The Nordavia brand should therefore be understood as a historical airline identity rather than a currently separate airline. The operating business continued through the transition to Smartavia, retaining a Russian domestic and regional network while changing its public positioning, fleet strategy, and visual identity. As of February 2025, Smartavia was included on the European Union list of airlines subject to an operating ban, a regulatory status that affects the carrier's access to EU airspace.
History
The airline associated with the Nordavia name began in 1963 as the Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron. Its formation reflected the importance of civil aviation to the Arkhangelsk region, where scheduled flights provided links across a large northern territory. In 1991, the organization was reorganized as AVL Arkhangelsk Airlines. In August 2004, Aeroflot acquired 51 percent of the airline. The carrier was renamed Aeroflot-Nord and became a regional affiliate of Aeroflot. The relationship was later affected by the crash of Aeroflot Flight 821 on 14 September 2008. The aircraft crashed on approach to Perm Airport, killing all 88 passengers and crew. Russian aviation authorities imposed restrictions on the airline's operations in July 2009, including a prohibition on international charter flights, citing security and financial issues. Aeroflot ended its contract with the carrier on 1 December 2009, after which the business operated independently under the Nordavia name. In June 2011, Aeroflot sold Nordavia to Norilsk Nickel. A proposed merger with Taimyr Air Company was reported later that year, but the Federal Antimonopoly Service blocked the transaction. Nordavia was eventually sold in March 2016 to Sergey Kuznetsov, who also owned Red Wings Airlines. Nordavia and Red Wings explored a closer combination from 2017. A new identity and merger were discussed, including a revised livery using blue, orange, and gray. The merger was canceled in March 2019. The airline then adopted the Smartavia name, with the first aircraft in the new livery appearing in April 2019 and the rebranding intended to be completed by the end of the year. Smartavia subsequently developed a low-cost-carrier strategy. The airline retired its Boeing 737-500 aircraft by 2021 and began introducing Airbus A320neo aircraft. In May 2021, it announced plans for a substantial Airbus fleet expansion and indicated that it intended to phase out Boeing aircraft. In September 2021, the carrier announced plans to establish or expand bases at Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Samara, and Sochi. The airline has principally served domestic and regional markets in Russia, with bases including Arkhangelsk, Saint Petersburg, and Moscow. As of February 2025, the Smartavia successor operation was listed among airlines banned from operating in the European Union.
- 2021
Airbus A320neo transition begins
[1]Smartavia begins replacing Boeing 737-500 aircraft with Airbus A320neo aircraft and presents plans for further Airbus expansion.
- 2019
Nordavia rebrands as Smartavia
[1]After the proposed Red Wings merger is canceled, the carrier adopts the Smartavia brand.
- 2016
Nordavia changes ownership
[1]The airline is sold to Sergey Kuznetsov, the owner of Red Wings Airlines.
- 2011
Nordavia is sold to Norilsk Nickel
[1]Aeroflot transfers ownership to Norilsk Nickel; a later proposed merger with Taimyr Air Company is blocked.
- 2009
Independent Nordavia operation begins
[1]The Aeroflot contract ends and the carrier continues independently as Nordavia.
- 2004
Aeroflot takes a controlling stake
[1]Aeroflot acquires 51 percent and renames the carrier Aeroflot-Nord.
- 1991
Reorganized as AVL Arkhangelsk Airlines
[1]The organization adopts the name AVL Arkhangelsk Airlines after the Soviet-era aviation structure is reorganized.
- 1963
Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron is formed
[1]The airline's historical predecessor is established as the Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron.
Products and positioning
A Russian domestic and regional airline that evolved from a regional carrier into a low-cost airline under the Smartavia name.
Passenger aviation · 1963
Scheduled domestic passenger services
The airline's principal activity has been scheduled passenger transportation within Russia. Under the Nordavia and subsequent Smartavia identities, the network has emphasized domestic connections linking northern and western Russian cities with larger aviation hubs.
Passenger aviation · 1963
Regional passenger services
Regional flying has remained central to the airline's role since its Arkhangelsk origins. The carrier has operated from bases including Arkhangelsk and Saint Petersburg, with Moscow later becoming an important part of its planned hub structure.
Low-cost aviation · 2019
Low-cost airline services
Following the 2019 rebrand, Smartavia positioned the business as a low-cost carrier. This repositioning was accompanied by a fleet transition toward Airbus A320neo aircraft and an emphasis on efficient domestic and regional operations.
Controversies
2008
Aeroflot-Nord Flight 821 crashes near Perm
A Boeing 737 operating Aeroflot Flight 821 under a combined service arrangement crashed while approaching Perm Airport. All 88 people aboard were killed.
2008
Aeroflot Flight 821 crash
On 14 September 2008, an aircraft operating Aeroflot Flight 821 under a combined service agreement crashed while approaching Perm Airport. All 88 people aboard were killed. The accident caused serious reputational damage to the Aeroflot-Nord operation and was followed by Aeroflot distancing itself from the subsidiary.
Brand decisions
2021
Transition toward an Airbus narrow-body fleetGeneration changeBackground
Smartavia sought to modernize its fleet and support its low-cost operating model.
Action taken
The airline retired its Boeing 737-500 aircraft and began introducing Airbus A320neo aircraft, while announcing plans for additional Airbus aircraft.
Aftermath
The decision established Airbus narrow-body aircraft as the intended foundation of the successor airline's fleet strategy.
2019
Rebranding from Nordavia to SmartaviaStrategyBackground
The planned merger with Red Wings was canceled, leaving the carrier to establish a distinct post-Aeroflot identity.
Action taken
The airline adopted the Smartavia name and introduced a new visual identity and livery.
Aftermath
The successor brand repositioned the airline as a low-cost carrier and continued the business under the Smartavia name.
2011
Sale to Norilsk Nickel and proposed Taimyr combinationM&ABackground
After Aeroflot's withdrawal from the relationship, Nordavia changed ownership and was considered for combination with Taimyr Air Company.
Action taken
Aeroflot sold the airline to Norilsk Nickel, while the proposed merger with Taimyr was blocked by the Federal Antimonopoly Service.
Aftermath
Nordavia remained a separate airline and was later sold to Sergey Kuznetsov in 2016.
2004
Aeroflot acquires 51 percent of the airlineM&ABackground
The regional carrier was brought into Aeroflot's corporate structure as a second regional airline.
Action taken
Aeroflot acquired a controlling stake and the airline was renamed Aeroflot-Nord.
Aftermath
The partnership ended in 2009 after operational, reputational, and financial difficulties.
Sources1 sources
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