OREANDA-NEWS. July 06, 2012. July 4, 2012, Donavia welcomed its first Airbus 319 landing at the Rostov-on-Don airport. Photo Gallery.

Among those present at the official ceremony were Deputy Minister of Transport of the Rostov Region Y. Lebedev, Head of Rostov-on-Don's Pervomaysky district V. Shumeyev, the administration of the Rostov-on-Don Airport, Donavia administration along with many of the company employees, and journalists.

For the Rostov-on-Don airport it is the first official welcome of an aircraft, which has become common practice in airports outside Russia: during taxiing a dramatic water arch was built over Donavia's new airplane.

The crew of the Airbus-319 received flowers from the interim General Director of Donavia V. Khizhnyak. In accordance with the tradition the aircraft was sanctified by protoiereus Andrey Mekushkin, and the crew were handed an icon of Michael the Archangel.

Airbus-319 has a two-class layout with 12 business-class and 120 economy-class seats; flying range is 5,500 km.

Airbus are ones of the world's most popular modern aircraft. Over their long history of operation they have proved their dependability, efficiency and comfort. That is why Donavia willing to deliver the best possible passenger experience in terms of comfort and safety has decided in favor of this type of aircraft.

The first two airplanes (the second one is to join the company's air fleet on July 6, 2012) will mainly carry out Donavia flights from Mineralnye Vody to Moscow, Erevan, and Tashkent, as well as from Stavropol to Moscow.

Using the new type of aircraft will allow Donavia to increase its traffic volume and improve the quality of passenger service.

The company is intended to further replenish its flying stock with Airbuses which are to be operated throughout the entire route network of Donavia including destinations in Russia, the CIS and other countries.