The Airlines of Dagestan Company has requested the government to postpone separation of the company into an air company and an airport, RIA Dagestan reports.
Federal executives sent letters to separate the company in early August. Director General of the Airlines of Dagestan, Zhabir Abakarov, noted that it will be a complicated process with a risk of bankrupting.
Postponing of the process will allow it to make profit. Kubanskiye Avialinii, RusLine, Utair, Sibir, Aeroflot have expressed interest in flights from Makhachkala. The company had a loss of 52 million rubles in the first half of 2011.
Abakarov said that they lack time to use new equipment and would need half a year. Two Tu-154s were leased for pilgrims. Four more planes are needed to be purchased.
Spokesman of the Airlines of Dagestan, Alexey Gadjiyev, said that separation of the shareholders will leave the company with one old Tu-154, inefficient Mi-8 helicopter, other aircraft were rented. Further maintenance will depend on stability of the company. The company may need to fire 500 employees unless a solution is found.
