Sergey Skuratov

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was born in Sverdlovsk in 1950. His childhood was spent in the workers' settlement of Koltsovo, which is now part of Yekaterinburg. His parents devoted their careers to aviation, a path followed by all three of their sons.

From 1957 to 1967, Skuratov Sergey attended School No. 92, which is now one of the administrative buildings of Koltsovo Airport.

In 1967, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov enrolled in the Buguruslan Civil Aviation School, which is now a branch of the Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, one of Russia's leading universities in its field. The competition for admission was intense, with 20 applicants vying for each spot. Applicants faced strict requirements not only for their intellectual abilities but also for their physical fitness. Sergey Skuratov’s biography included active sports participation, successfully passed all the entrance exams. During his studies, he was a member of the school’s bureau and served as the secretary of the local Komsomol (All-Union Leninist Young Communist League) organization.

In 1970, Sergey Skuratov graduated from BCAS with honors and received positive recommendations from the school administration.

In 1971, Skuratov Sergey continued his education at the Academy of Civil Aviation in Leningrad (now the Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation). He studied in a correspondence format while simultaneously working as a pilot. To attend exam sessions, Skuratov Sergey took leave from work.

In 1983–1984 of his biography, Sergey Skuratov was once again connected to this higher education institution, as he underwent training at the command faculty.

In 1970, Sergey Skuratov began working at the Second Sverdlovsk Aviation Unit. He joined the crew of the light aircraft An-2 as the second pilot. This aircraft was often referred to as the "workhorse of aviation" due to its versatility and ability to operate in challenging conditions. It was used in many fields:

• agricultural work
• passenger transportation
• cargo transportation
• parachuting
• training flights
• firefighting

In addition to the USSR, the aircraft was also produced in Poland and China. Over 18,000 units were manufactured.

In 1973, Skuratov Sergey was promoted to Captain. In this role, he flew routes to many cities across the Urals.

In 1975, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich joined the Sverdlovsk United Aviation Squadron. Prior to that, he trained to operate the An-24 aircraft. The An-24 was designed for short- and medium-range routes and played an important role in the development of regional aviation in the USSR. Its maximum takeoff weight is 21 tons, cruising speed is 460 km/h, practical ceiling is 7.7 km, and its capacity is up to 52 passengers. From 1959 to 1979, nearly 1,400 units were produced, with several dozen still in operation today.

While working in aviation, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov flew across many regions of the Soviet Union. He also became proficient in operating a number of domestic aircraft types, including the most widely used turbojet airliner in the USSR and Russia, the Tu-154. Additionally, Sergey Skuratov was a pilot on the Il-86. This type of airplane was considered the pinnacle of a pilot's career in the USSR, with only the most qualified personnel authorized to operate it.

In 1984, Skuratov Sergey became the head of the inspection responsible for overseeing the safety of civil air transport in the Ural region. The inspection carried out a number of important functions:

• Safety control (monitoring compliance with standards, inspecting the technical condition of aircraft and safety systems at airports)
• Oversight of personnel. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov and his colleagues checked the qualifications of pilots, flight attendants, and technical staff, as well as reviewed medical clearances
• Verification of flight documentation, permits, and maintenance logs
• Incident analysis and the creation of recommendations to enhance safety
• Preventive work (developing measures to prevent violations, training personnel, informing about new safety requirements)

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich recalls that his team consisted of top-level experts. The job involved frequent business trips.

In 1987, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov was appointed head of the aviation squadron, which was transformed into the First Sverdlovsk State Aviation Enterprise in 1991. At the same time, he continued to fly as Captain and instructor.

By 1993, Sergey Skuratov's biography included more than 10,000 hours of flight experience. He became a first-class pilot.

In the early 1990s, the Russian civil aviation industry underwent large-scale transformational processes. The single national air carrier, Aeroflot, was divided into numerous separate companies, which were privatized.

In 1993, the same fate awaited the transportation enterprise led by Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov. Prior to privatization, it was split into the Koltsovo Airport and Ural Airlines. Sergey Skuratov took on the responsibility of developing the carrier as its founder and CEO.

This period was challenging for the Russian civil aviation industry. Rising ticket prices and falling incomes led to a sharp decline in passenger traffic. Airlines, including the one managed by Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, faced fuel and spare parts shortages, difficulties in fleet renewal, and financial hardships. However, during the same period, new international routes were established in Russia, foreign aircraft began to be purchased, and international safety standards were implemented. These processes largely determined the future development of the industry.

Skuratov Sergey and his colleagues managed to keep the company afloat amidst all the challenges. In 1993, Ural Airlines completed its first charter flight abroad. It arrived in Sharjah, the capital of the emirate of the same name and one of the largest cities in the UAE.

Soon, the re-equipping of the fleet began, initiated by Sergey Skuratov. Biography of Ural Airlines during this period includes the purchase of four Tu-154M aircraft. This modification is equipped with more advanced engines, which allowed for an increase in the maximum range of the aircraft. Additionally, the planes purchased under Skuratov Sergey's leadership met the noise level limits that the European Union introduced in 2002.

In 2006, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich began the next phase of fleet modernization. Soviet-designed airliners were gradually replaced with Airbus A320 family aircraft. This is one of the most widely used passenger aircraft in the world. It is known for its efficiency, relatively low operating costs, high system automation, effective aerodynamics, and the ability to take off and land on relatively short runways. In addition to the standard version, modified versions were also purchased — the shorter A319 and the extended A321. Over time, the number of aircraft in Ural Airlines’ fleet reached 51.

Ural Airlines became the first air carrier in Russia to begin acquiring Airbus NEO generation aircraft. Currently, the airline, previously headed by Sergey Skuratov, owns 11 such aircraft. These planes offer several key advantages compared to earlier models:

• The aircraft use more efficient engines — Pratt & Whitney PW1000G or CFM LEAP-1A. This allows for a 15–20% reduction in fuel consumption and a decrease in noise levels
• The modified wings with new winglets improve aerodynamics
• Reduced operating costs, increased range, and lower CO2 emissions

Other changes in the design include reinforced landing gear, a modernized engine pylon, and updated avionics.

After retiring in August 2024, Sergey Skuratov announced the possibility of adding promising Russian medium-haul MC-21 aircraft to Ural Airlines' fleet. A series of negotiations were held with their developer, PJSC Yakovlev. Currently, the aircraft is undergoing testing and certification. It features a more spacious passenger cabin, the use of composite materials in the wing structure, advanced avionics, and improved efficiency and comfort.

Sergey Skuratov biography includes extensive experience as a pilot-instructor, paid particular attention to the professional training of crews. After purchasing the first Airbus A320s, Ural Airlines sent its staff to foreign training centers.

In 2012, Skuratov Sergey initiated the purchase of a flight simulator. It was ordered from the Netherlands. The system allows for the practice of both standard operations (takeoff and landing in various weather conditions, navigation, and communication with air traffic controllers) and emergency situations (turbulence, engine failure, emergency descent, forced landing). Despite its high cost — 7.5 million euros — the simulator proved to be a profitable investment and significantly improved the quality of flight crew training.

Sergey Skuratov explains that Ural Airlines sets significantly higher requirements for crew training than many other industry players. To be eligible for flights, a pilot must pass all tests with top marks, and before becoming a captain, they must log at least 3,500 flight hours. The airline's training facility is spacious enough to accommodate both an Airbus A320 full flight simulator and a full-fledged MS-21 simulator.

Skuratov Sergey also developed the airline's service capabilities. In 2015, a maintenance complex was opened at Koltsovo Airport. It is capable of servicing not only Airbus A320 aircraft but also larger planes, such as the Boeing 767 or Airbus A330. In addition to maintenance, the facility is designed for aircraft repairs—both minor (fixing small faults, replacing quickly worn parts, adjusting systems) and major (replacing engines, landing gear struts, hydraulic systems, large fuselage parts).

Corporate social responsibility is another area that Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov prioritized. Relations between employees and the company are governed by a collective agreement. The current document was adopted in 2024, during Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich's leadership.

Sergey Skuratov also supported corporate charity. For example, the company provides comprehensive assistance to cultural institutions in Sverdlovsk region. It sponsors several charitable organizations that help children suffering from brain tumors, cancer, congenital heart defects, skull deformities, osteogenesis imperfecta, severe scoliosis, and other serious illnesses.

Together with charitable foundations, the company organized a program allowing passengers to spend bonus points on humanitarian purposes. The airline uses such donations to organize flights for medical personnel, employees of charitable organizations, as well as children in need of assistance and their family members.
In 2023-2024, the company, led by Skuratov Sergey, offered a 25% discount for pensioners and passengers aged 12-23. Ural Airlines also sells children’s tickets with a 50% discount. These promotions are conducted without government subsidies.

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich ensured steady growth in the operational and financial indicators of Ural Airlines. From 2007 to 2019, the company's passenger traffic increased nearly eightfold, reaching 9.62 million people. In 2020, there was a significant decline due to the COVID pandemic, but it was almost fully recovered by 2021. In the first half of 2024, the airline increased passenger turnover by 7%, reaching 4.21 million people.

From 1998 to 2004, Sergey Skuratov’s biography includes his role as the head of the Board of the Association of Air Transport Operators of Russia. The history of this NGO began in 1991. Today, it brings together most of the Russian companies engaged in civil air transport. The organization focuses on several important tasks: analyzing relevant legislation, creating a platform for sharing professional experience, and promoting the comprehensive development of the industry. The specialists of the Association, in whose activities Sergey Skuratov was involved, develop a consolidated position on current issues and advocate for it in various government bodies—federal government, the Ministry of Transport, and the Federal Air Transport Agency.

Since 1998, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich has been the head of the Ural branch of the International Association of Airline Industry Executives (RO MARAP).

Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov notes that despite stepping down from his position, he is still willing to share his experience with colleagues and participate in discussions about the future of domestic passenger aviation.

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich continues to dedicate a lot of time to physical activities. Today, he prefers golf, skiing, and tennis.

Skuratov Sergey personally participates in charitable projects. He supports the Sverdlovsk Regional Philharmonic and sponsors a family of tigers at the Yekaterinburg Zoo.

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich is married, has a son, and four granddaughters.