Today, one of the most popular companies providing air transportation services in Russia is VIM Airlines. Passenger reviews about the work of this organization and the service it provides are quite positive, while they can be read in a fairly large number. But at the same time, many are not sure about the quality of its work and want to get more information about how this company works and whether it is worth using it.
What kind of company is this
"VIM-AVIA" is a Russian airline, which mainly specializes in scheduled passenger and charter flights. At the moment, it is part of the Russian Sky holding together with the company of the same name, and the main base of the organization is located in Domodedovo (Moscow).
It is worth noting that in 2007, the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency, talking about one of the most non-punctual organizations in the country, paid special attention to how VIM-AVIA Airlines LLC works. Passenger reviews at that time were varied, as some likedintroduced directions and various services, while many were not satisfied with the quality of the service received. Since 2011, the company has been included in the list of IOSA operators, which automatically confirmed its compliance with all current IATA carrier safety standards.
Where you can fly
At the moment, regular flights represent almost 90% of the total passenger traffic carried out by VIM-AVIA. Passenger reviews regarding the work of this organization are largely positive, although there are some complaints. At the same time, it should be noted that the regular route network includes more than 30 different major cities around the world, and charter flights fly to the most popular resorts in Asia and Europe, as well as move within Russia. It is worth noting a separate contribution to the holding of the last Olympic Games in Sochi, since VIM-AVIA (Moscow-Sochi) was engaged in air transportation of participants and guests. Passenger feedback during the Olympics was mostly positive.
Start
VIM Airlines was founded in 2002. Feedback from the staff suggests that from the very first years the company began to gain momentum quite quickly, making the main bet on providing the highest quality service. At that time, the General Director of Aerofreight, Viktor Ivanovich Merkulov, was involved in the creation of this company, and his initials, in fact, formed the basis of the name VIM-AVIA.
Only a year laterthe existence of the company, an operator certificate No. 451 was provided, after which Russian citizens were able to carry out passenger and cargo air transportation through VIM Airlines. The reviews of many people say that the An-12 and Il-62M aircraft operated at that time were far from being as convenient as the current Boeings, but at the same time, the quality did not cause any particular complaints. In the overwhelming majority of cases, all flights of this organization went to the Asian direction, including both cargo and passenger traffic.
Park renewal
Since 2004, the company has been developing and launching a large-scale targeted program aimed at expanding its aircraft fleet to the maximum. As part of this program, Lufthansa's subsidiary, Condor GmbH, which specialized mainly in charter flights, sold twelve Boeing 757-200 aircraft into service, which were much more comfortable and cost-effective compared to those aircraft that the organization had at the time.
On July 16 of the same year, the first flight on this aircraft from VIM Airlines took place. Passenger reviews were only positive, and this is not at all surprising, because foreign aircraft were superior in all respects to previously used domestic counterparts. After the company's fleet was completely replaced by twelve medium-haul Boeings, VIM-AVIA almost immediately became the leading organization in the field of mass charter flights.tourist destinations, which at that time were Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, and other companies made quite a bit of room, as they traditionally continued to fly on the Il-86. In addition, it is worth noting the fact that the organization also began to launch flights to the most popular tourist destinations in Western Europe, and in particular, this applies to Spain and Italy, since charter flights on Il-86 aircraft could not fly there before, since did not meet the established noise limits.
New technologies
Since February 2005, the company has been opening regular flights to Ufa and Sochi, and in order to optimize the work in the field of managing various passenger transportation, from booking tickets to selling, registering and sending passengers, VIM-AVIA begins to implement a package of integrated SITA solutions, which included several products at once:
- air travel booking and sales system;
- distribution and tariff calculation system;
- system of financial reporting and automated ticket printing;
- host system for managing the check-in and subsequent departure of passengers.
It is also worth noting the fact that since August 10 this year, the Fleet Watch program has been introduced, which significantly increased the quality of work that VIM Airlines (the airline) was already famous for. Feedback from many people after the introduction of this technology suggests that flights have become much more convenient and timely. The program itselfrepresents the provision of operational management and fleet planning.
Cooperation with the UN
In 2006, the company decided to further expand its own fleet by purchasing four more similar aircraft models to the existing ones. At the same time, it is worth noting the fact that in Eastern Europe the largest operator of this type of aircraft at that time was precisely VIM Airlines (airline). Feedback from passengers not only from Russia, but also from many other countries indicated a quality of work comparable to that of the majority of European organizations. Meanwhile, the UN is making a positive decision that this company be included in the list of official air carriers approved to operate under its program.
In the same year, in order to provide domestic, regional and international transportation, an airline of the same name is created in the Republic of Bashkortostan, which is a subsidiary of VIM-AVIA. Passenger feedback after such an update was only positive, and this is not at all surprising, since the opening of this organization was a significant breakthrough in the field of air transportation in this region.
In 2007, the company ranks first among the largest Russian organizations involved in passenger turnover in the field of charter flights. At the same time, a large number of regular flights are opened in the direction of Irkutsk, Novy Urengoy, Beloyarsky, Kemerovo and Anapa. The regular route network of this company coversalready 17 large cities of the Russian Federation. It is worth noting the fact that the first simulator designed to practice various emergency procedures in the passenger cabin of a Boeing 757 was purchased by VIM-AVIA for the first time in Russia. Passenger feedback on this, of course, was also only positive, as it significantly increased the degree of safety for everyone on each plane.
In 2008, the organization takes the direction to increase the volume of transportation, which were carried out under the auspices of the United Nations. The organization is also starting to actively implement fully functional electronic systems, such as DCS, E-ticketing and others, but at the same time, regular flight programs provided by VIM-AVIA are being reduced. Feedback from passengers on this issue was already not so positive, as many used similar programs.
The same situation continued in 2009. The Company continues to be one of the leading representatives of the charter transportation market, and at the same time expands cooperation with the UN. It is worth noting that this year a program was launched, according to which permanent charter flights were transferred to a regular basis, which became another significant impetus, thanks to which the VIM-AVIA airline was popularized. Feedback from passengers about the increase in regular charter flights was only positive. In particular, it was decided to add directions to Tenerife andRimini, as well as a fairly large number of new destinations for international flights, such as Lankaran, Ganja, Osh and Anjian.
Active growth
In 2011, the organization significantly expanded its own passenger traffic, which grew by 22.7% compared to the same period last year, and the number of flights increased by 29.8%. It is worth noting that the volume of transportation of this company under contracts concluded with the UN increased by 77%, thanks to which VIM-AVIA became the leader among all carriers accredited by the United Nations, displacing a fairly large number of its European competitors.
Special attention should be paid to the fact that this year the company received confirmation from IATA that it is now included in the register of operators IOSA - a specialized act of recognizing the complete security of services in the international and domestic air transportation market carried out by this organization. The quantitative values of flight safety used in modern world practice have traditionally begun to be maintained in VIM-AVIA at the level of leading carriers in this industry.
It is also worth noting that since 2011 new classes of service have been introduced - these are "Improved Economy" and "Business Class", and a program of air transportation has also been launched, which was carried out between the European part of Russia, Siberia and the Far East.
In 2013 aviationthe training center from the company "VIM-AVIA" completed the training of flight crews for more than 25 different courses. Between January and December of this year, approximately 677 flight crew members received full training at the ATC, and the total number of flight attendants who completed various types of training is approximately 1,655, including also emergency rescue training.
This year, the implementation of the program aimed at diversifying and expanding the fleet through the use of various vessels of Western and domestic production continued. Within the framework of this program, a fairly large number of negotiations were held with the largest aircraft suppliers, as well as domestic and Western aircraft manufacturing enterprises. Among other things, there have been many negotiations with leasing companies around the world.
Introduction of new aircraft
Since 2013, it has become possible to fly through this company on today's popular Airbus 319-111 aircraft, which represents another stage of implementation, as well as the subsequent replacement of the fleet. It is planned to use new aircraft on the already existing routes of this company, as well as for the subsequent expansion of regular route maps.
In 2014, the organization took the main direction to increase socially significant transportation, which is one of the most priority areas of activity of this organization. "VIM-AVIA" makes a significant contribution toair transportation of the Olympic Games, which were held in Sochi, and in both directions during this time transported almost 22 thousand passengers. Special attention should be paid to the fact that the company "VIM-AVIA" was engaged in providing flights for both participants and guests of the Paralympic Games.
One of the most significant events for the work of this organization can be called the fact that it put into operation a new type of aircraft Airbus-319. In the process of implementing the next stage of the program for increasing and subsequent fleet modernization, the airline replenished its own fleet with four new aircraft. The expansion of the fleet, followed by the introduction of various types of aircraft in the certificate, which differed in layout and flight characteristics, allowed the organization to increase the total number of flights, as well as provide its customers with a wider variety of convenient travel routes.
The airline is adjusting long-term development plans in accordance with how the external situation changes. Various new aircraft projects scheduled for the first half of 2015 have been put on hold pending a new trend in air travel, after which the long-term development plan will be fully revised and continued. It is worth noting that at this stage, a program is being implemented to reduce costs while maintaining the required human and production potential, as well as maintaining a consistently high level of flight safety.
In 2015, the company began rebranding,which began with a change in the color of the aircraft livery, as well as the introduction of a completely new design of flight attendants' uniforms. It was decided to replace the brand colors gray and magenta with anthracite and bright red, which are more in line with the new dynamic development strategy of this organization, aimed at conquering new areas of the market, as well as improving the quality of the service provided.
This year, the company continues to carry out various large socially significant projects, actively transporting children to various places of summer recreation, transporting people with disabilities, creative and sports teams. In addition, the organization also provided subsidized transportation of residents of the Far East, as well as transportation of groups of volunteers, children and their parents in the process of implementing the “Fly for a Child” project.
Positive feedback
You can find rather conflicting opinions about what service VIM-AVIA provides. Passenger reviews (Moscow-Simferopol and other destinations) start from “quite a decent organization” to “I won’t use its services anymore”, but there are a few points that are highlighted by the vast majority of customers. The positives are as follows:
- Safety. It is quite natural that safety is a determining factor in the work of any responsible air carrier, and passengers do not have any complaints about how in this regardworks "VIM-AVIA". Employee feedback is also in solidarity with this opinion, because even if there are some technical problems, the organization tries to do everything to promptly provide another vehicle in accordance with international standards.
- Cost. Another undoubted advantage of the work of this organization is affordable prices for services. There is always an opportunity to purchase tickets urgently, and at the same time at a relatively low price offered by VIM Airlines. Reviews about the company often say that it is much more profitable to buy tickets online.
- Goodwill. All questions regarding accommodation can be easily clarified, and passengers are provided not only with professional advice, but also, if necessary, they can be consulted and help resolve any conflict situations through VIM Airlines. Reviews (Moscow-Simferopol is one of such directions) are periodically negative, as in some situations a person behaves inappropriately, although such situations are rare exceptions.
- Baggage allowance. The company provides the opportunity to carry up to 20 kg of baggage (and in some areas even 30 kg), as well as an additional 5 kg to transport in hand luggage.
Negative reviews
There are, of course, unpleasant moments in the work of VIM Airlines. Passenger reviews can also be negative, and are most often expressed as follows:
- In the overwhelming majority of cases (90%) negative feedback frompassengers are due to the fact that flights can be postponed, and in some situations the delays are too long, and people just have to wait. From time to time, there were situations when passengers simply did not have time for connecting flights, and some quite aptly described the work of this organization as “roulette”, because it is not clear when it will be possible to fly away.
- Many complaints are made about uncomfortable flight conditions, including also the recently introduced "Airbus A319. VIM-AVIA". Some passengers' comments point to stuffy, cramped and dusty conditions, while others find it too windy and chilly. Of course, the subjective opinion of people depends on the season and the direction of their flight, but there are also complaints about noise during the flight and various unpleasant odors in the cabin. Special attention should be paid to the fact that some tourists, leaving their feedback, noted the unsatisfactory condition of the seats, which are broken, with non-functioning adjustment mechanisms and other problems, which is especially unpleasant in the economy class, where the distance between them is 79 cm.
- Food is either completely absent on any short flights, or is quite modest, which is what the VIM-AVIA carrier is also famous for. Reviews are often found with such content that people complain about not enough candy. But in many ways, you need to understand that if you choose a cheap air carrier, you do not have to rely on the menu of large restaurants.
Despite the fact that people periodically leavenegative reviews about the company "VIM-AVIA", quite often passengers fully justify such shortcomings with the low cost of the tickets provided. For those people who are going to make a trip with a transfer, of course, it is better not to risk it, because in the end, on the contrary, you can lose a lot of precious time and money.
Employee reviews
Feedback from VIM-AVIA employees is often mixed. On the one hand, many employees say that they maintain discipline and constantly monitor the quality of work of all personnel, which only positively affects the quality of the company's work.
On the other hand, to customer feedback about the poor quality of service on some flights, employees respond by saying that they are not paid salaries for duties already performed, and the quality of the services provided suffers from this.
