Ak Bars Aero of Bugulma, Tatarstan, officially became the fourth Russian company to launch operations with Bombardier CRJ regional jets when it began operating a used CRJ200LR under a lease agreement with a third party on April 14. Ak Bars Aero’s CRJ200LR flew its first scheduled service from Begishevo Airport, Naberezhnye Chelny, to Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow.

Established in 1953, Ak Bars Aero (previously known as Bugulma Aviation Enterprise), has said it plans to add another four CRJ200s to its fleet “in the near future,” as it endeavors to replace its fleet of aged Yakovlev Yak-40s. The airline connects key airports in Tatarstan with several destinations in Russia, the CIS and other countries in the region.