Royal Flight

Royal Flight is a Russian charter airline founded in 2003, headquartered in Moscow. It operates charter flights from major Russian cities to popular tourist destinations, with a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

Abakan-Avia was created in 1992 from a former Aeroflot unit in Abakan, the capital of the Republic of Khakassia. It began flying in 1993, initially concentrating on domestic cargo services. The carrier added international operations in 1994, broadening its role beyond regional freight and establishing the basis for later charter activity. The airline remained a relatively small operator. Sobol became a major shareholder in 1999 after acquiring 70% of the company. In 2002, Abakan-Avia was involved in discussions concerning a possible merger with RusAir, but the proposed transaction was unsuccessful. A contemporary company profile recorded 76 employees in March 2007. Abakan-Avia subsequently developed an international charter orientation. In July 2014, Coral Travel, a Russian tour operator, purchased the airline. The carrier was renamed Royal Flight Airlines on 11 July 2014. The new identity aligned the airline more closely with the leisure-travel business and the charter needs of tour operators. Royal Flight operated charter services from Russian cities to holiday destinations in several regions, including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. Abakan Airport continued to serve as the airline's main base. The rebranded company thus retained the Abakan connection while operating in a much broader international tourism market. Royal Flight ultimately stopped all operations in May 2022. As a result, Abakan-Avia is best understood as the former name and historical predecessor of Royal Flight rather than as an active airline. Available reference material does not establish a continuing standalone Abakan-Avia operation after the 2014 renaming.

• 2022

  Successor carrier stops flying

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Royal Flight ceases all operations in May, ending the operating history associated with Abakan-Avia.

• 2014

  Acquisition and rebranding

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Coral Travel purchases Abakan-Avia, which is renamed Royal Flight Airlines on 11 July.

• 2002

  Merger proposal with RusAir is abandoned

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  A proposed merger with RusAir fails to reach completion.

• 1999

  Sobol takes a majority stake

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Sobol acquires 70% of the airline.

• 1994

  International operations begin

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The carrier expands into international flying.

• 1993

  Domestic cargo operations begin

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  Abakan-Avia starts flying domestic cargo services.

• 1992

  Abakan-Avia is established

  [1]Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org

  The airline is formed in Abakan from a former Aeroflot operating unit.

A regional Russian airline that evolved from domestic cargo operations into an international charter carrier serving tourism markets.

• Air cargo · 1993

  Domestic cargo services

  The airline's first documented service consisted of domestic cargo flights launched in 1993. These operations reflected its origins in a former Aeroflot unit and its initial role in connecting Abakan and other Russian locations through air freight.

• Passenger charter aviation · 1994

  International charter flights

  After adding international operations in 1994, the airline developed charter flying as a central part of its business. Under the later Royal Flight identity, these services connected Russian cities with leisure destinations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean, generally in support of tour-operator travel programs.

• 2014

  Coral Travel acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Coral Travel sought an airline platform aligned with its Russian tourism and charter businesses.

  Action taken

  Coral Travel purchased Abakan-Avia in July 2014.

  Aftermath

  The airline was renamed Royal Flight Airlines on 11 July 2014 and operated international holiday charters.

  Source

• 2014

  Shift to the Royal Flight charter brandStrategy

  Background

  The airline's new ownership created an opportunity to align its identity with tour-operator-led leisure travel.

  Action taken

  Abakan-Avia adopted the Royal Flight Airlines name and emphasized international charter services.

  Aftermath

  The successor operated holiday routes across multiple international regions until operations ended in 2022.

  Source

• 2002

  Abandonment of proposed RusAir mergerM&A

  Background

  Abakan-Avia and RusAir explored a possible merger during the airline's development.

  Action taken

  The proposed merger did not proceed.

  Aftermath

  Abakan-Avia continued as a separate airline until its later acquisition and rebranding.

  Source

1. 1Royal Flight (airline)en.wikipedia.org