Polet Flight
Defunct Russian airline.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Polet Flight was a Russian airline headquartered in Voronezh, founded in 1988, operating domestic and international passenger and cargo flights. The airline ceased operations in 2015.
History
Polet Flight was established in 1988 in Voronezh, Russia. It grew into a diversified aviation company rather than remaining solely a conventional passenger carrier. Its main base was Chertovitskoye Airport, the principal airport serving Voronezh, and it also maintained regional operations from Sokol. The airline's activities included domestic scheduled passenger routes, international passenger services, charter flights, and cargo transportation. Its network, documented in 2013, connected Voronezh with Russian destinations including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Simferopol, Anapa, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Ulyanovsk, and other regional centers. International flying included Prague, Munich, Riga, Vilnius, Yerevan, and seasonal services to Heraklion and Rhodes. Charter operations included Antalya, while Dubai was served in connection with charter and cargo activity. A major distinguishing feature was Polet's operation of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan. The aircraft is designed for very large and heavy consignments, and Polet was one of only two airlines identified as operating the type. This gave the company a specialized role in global oversized freight. The An-124 program also exposed the airline to substantial leasing and operating commitments. A dispute brought by Alexander Lebedev concerned roughly US$8 million in lease payments for An-124 aircraft and became part of the carrier's later financial troubles. From 2002, Polet broadened its aviation portfolio to include agricultural work, aeromedical services, and aerial photography. These activities complemented its passenger and cargo businesses and reflected the company's attempt to use its aircraft and operational capabilities across several aviation markets. Polet was wholly owned by Anatoly S. Karpov, who served as chief executive and general director. The company also owned a 19.5 percent stake in Voronezhavia. In December 2013, Polet was considering the acquisition of five mid-sized jets for charter operations from Voronezh. The proposal indicated a possible expansion of its passenger charter fleet, but the plan did not prevent the airline's subsequent decline. On 24 November 2014, Polet suspended both passenger and cargo operations. On 28 November, the Moscow Arbitration Court placed the company into administration. Rosaviatsia cancelled its air operator certificate in April 2015. The collapse ended Polet's airline operations and removed one of the few operators active in the An-124 heavy-lift market. The loss was particularly significant for oversized cargo transportation, where the remaining prominent commercial capability was associated with the Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Antonov Airlines joint partnership. Polet is therefore remembered both as a regional Russian airline and as a specialized participant in the international market for exceptionally large air freight.
- 2015
Air operator certificate cancelled
[1]Rosaviatsia cancelled Polet's air operator certificate in April, ending its licensed airline operations.
- 2014
Operations suspended and administration begins
[1]Passenger and cargo operations were suspended on 24 November, followed by court-ordered administration on 28 November.
- 2013
Consideration of mid-sized jet acquisition
[1]Polet announced that it was evaluating five mid-sized jets for charter operations from Voronezh.
- 2002
Expansion into specialist aviation services
[1]The company began serving agricultural, aeromedical, and aerial photography markets in addition to its airline activities.
- 1988
Airline established and operations begin
[1]Polet Flight was founded in Voronezh and began airline operations.
Products and positioning
A diversified Russian regional and international airline combining passenger flying with specialist cargo, charter, and heavy-lift operations.
Passenger aviation
Scheduled passenger services
Polet operated domestic Russian routes and selected international services from its Voronezh base. Its documented network included major Russian cities as well as destinations in Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caucasus.
Charter aviation
Passenger charter services
The airline provided charter flying from Voronezh and served leisure and regional destinations, including Antalya and seasonal Greek airports. In 2013 it considered adding five mid-sized jets to support this business.
Oversized air freight
An-124 Ruslan heavy-lift cargo
Polet operated Antonov An-124 Ruslan aircraft for very large and heavy cargo. This specialized capability distinguished the airline from ordinary regional passenger and cargo operators and placed it among the small number of carriers active in the global oversized-freight market.
Cargo aviation
Regional cargo services
Alongside heavy-lift operations, Polet provided regional cargo transportation from its Russian operating bases and included cargo flying in its broader network.
Aviation support services · 2002
Specialist aviation services
Beginning in 2002, Polet served agricultural aviation, aeromedical operations, and aerial photography. These activities diversified the company beyond scheduled airline services.
Brand decisions
2014
Suspend passenger and cargo operationsOtherBackground
The airline faced financial pressure connected in part with lease obligations for its An-124 aircraft.
Action taken
Polet suspended both passenger and cargo operations on 24 November 2014.
Aftermath
The Moscow Arbitration Court placed the airline into administration on 28 November, and its air operator certificate was cancelled in April 2015.
2013
Evaluate five mid-sized jets for charter growthStrategyBackground
Polet was assessing how to expand charter operations from Voronezh while maintaining its existing passenger and cargo businesses.
Action taken
The airline announced that it was evaluating the acquisition of five mid-sized jets.
Aftermath
The proposed fleet expansion did not prevent the subsequent suspension of operations in November 2014.
Recent events
- 2015
Rosaviatsia cancels Polet's air operator certificate[1]
Regulation · Bankruptcy
Russia's civil aviation authority cancelled Polet's operating certificate, formally ending its authorized airline activity.
- 2014
Polet suspends passenger and cargo operations[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Polet stopped both passenger and cargo services on 24 November amid financial and leasing difficulties.
- 2014
Moscow Arbitration Court places Polet into administration[1]
Bankruptcy · Regulation
The Moscow Arbitration Court initiated administration proceedings against the carrier shortly after the suspension of operations.
- 2013
Polet evaluates acquisition of five mid-sized jets[1]
Product launch
The airline announced that it was assessing the purchase of five mid-sized aircraft for charter operations based in Voronezh.
Lease-payment dispute involving An-124 aircraft[1]
Lawsuit · Bankruptcy
Alexander Lebedev sued Polet over a claim involving approximately US$8 million in unpaid lease payments associated with An-124 aircraft.
Sources2 sources
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