About Wings of Russia Award

Wings of Russia is the national airline award established and organized by Air Transport Observer magazine, the Russian Air Transport Operators Association and Infomost.com agency. Launched in 1997, the Wings of Russia Award is now accepted as Russia’s only program recognizing excellence in commercial air transport.

Over 50 Russian carriers compete annually in 10 categories including domestic and international passenger transport, air cargo, business aviation and carriers serving industries of the Russian economy. This year some important innovations have taken place - the Public Council can now bring forward airline companies in different nominations whereas in previous years this was the privilege of airlines alone.

Companies are invited to draw up their own entries explaining the merits of their achievements and then to submit them to an independent Public Council. The Wings of Russia Public Council numbers over 126 industry experts, representatives of governmental agencies, related business and financial circles, mass media. The intense competition results in a great nationwide prestige for the winners. The program ensures that the winners secure recognition of their achievements. Wings of Russia remains the most powerful tool to develop marketing communications both within the air transport community and with other businesses. The Award Ceremony itself provides an outstanding opportunity for networking and communication.

Wings of Russia 2008 Award Ceremony

Wings of Russia Award Ceremony took place on April 8, 2009
at the Renaissance Hotel in Moscow.

43 russian airlines participated in the awards. The winners and laureates were elected by close voting of a community board. The community board consists of 120 impartial experts from air transport industry, aviation authorities and social organizations, veterans of civil aviation and journalists.

The award develops from year to year. Not long ago a new nomination “Airline of the Year – People’s Choice Prize” was included in the award list. The winner in this nomination was defined by on-line passenger questionnaire. More then 5000 people elected the winner. People evaluated quality of Russian airlines customer service and express loyalty to their favorite airlines.

The project was supported by International airports Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Kurumoch, Ufa, Sheretyevo, Airlines “Aeroflot-Don”, “Ural Airlines”, “VIM-Avia”, “Kavminvodiavia”, “KD avia”, Internet-portals Avia.ru, Aviaport.ru, Rata news, Travel.ru, Tutu.ru, Airlines Inform, Project Aerohelp.ru, Newsland, Provider information technology Amadeus, Research and information agency “Rusaeroinfo” and Aviation Today and Zebra Group as also.

The Award Ceremony guest list included more then 400 persons, among them top-managers of leading Russian and international airlines, members of the Public Council of the Award, representatives of aviation authorities and associations, representatives of financial, leasing and insurance industries, representatives of Russian and international mass-media.