Aeroflot OJSC "Aeroflot — Russian Airlines" (Russian: ??? «???????? — ?????????? ?????????») (MICEX:AFLT RTS:AFLT), commonly known as Aeroflot (Russian: ????????), is the largest airline in Russia, based on passengers carried per year. Aeroflot, headquartered in Moscow,[4] is one of the oldest airlines in the world, tracing its history back to 1923. The airline operates domestic and international passenger services to 95 cities in 48 countries, mainly from Sheremetyevo International Airport.
During the Soviet era, Aeroflot was the Soviet national airline and the largest airline in the world.[5] Since the dissolution of the USSR, Aeroflot has been transformed from a state-run enterprise into a semi-privatised airline which ranks amongst the most profitable in the world.[6] Aeroflot is still considered the de facto national airline of Russia.[7]
Aeroflot has embarked on a fleet modernisation program, extensive route restructuring, and an image overhaul, in order to bring the airline up to world standards. The airline joined SkyTeam in April 2006.[6]