Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot's drive to upgrade its fleet with Western aircraft has been criticised by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin after buying Boeing and Airbus planes over Russian Superjet aircraft, reports the Moscow Times. A recent meeting between Mr Putin and Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Savelyev, a former deputy economic development and trade minister, aviation sector concerns focussed on the consolidation with regional airlines, and purchasing more Russian-made planes following the carrier's announcement of 44 planes from Boeing and Airbus due from 2016.

Since Mr Savelyev's appointment last year, the carrier has won accolades including best passenger service on economy-class short- and medium-haul flights as well as on business-class long-haul flights from its SkyTeam's alliance out of seven European airlines.

Source: JOC