OREANDA-NEWS. An Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 with livery commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War on Saturday completed its first flight on the Moscow-Minsk-Moscow route.

The aircraft, the newest SSJ-100 in Aeroflot’s fleet, is named after Alexander Gruzdin, one of the Soviet Union’s leading wartime pilots. Minsk was chosen as the destination for the first flight because of its particular symbolism and importance in the Victory.

All of Aeroflot’s Russian-built planes will be emblazoned with the Victory livery as part of the Company’s commemorations of this landmark date. The key elements of the design are a white dove on a blue background and a ribbon of the Order of St George.

Aeroflot is preparing an extensive slate of events to mark the Anniversary. The centrepiece is the annual programme of free tickets for military veterans and those injured during the Great Patriotic War, as well as those accompanying them, on routes to cities that played a key role during the War from 3-12 May. Citizens of other former Soviet countries will also be eligible. This year Aeroflot will for the first time cover all travel costs including tickets and taxes, while the cap on the total number of tickets available has also been lifted. The programme covers flights operated under the SU code by Aeroflot Group on domestic routes and flights to selected destinations across Europe and the CIS.

Aeroflot was the first Russian airline to introduce free tickets for war veterans as part of the Victory Day celebrations. In 2014 Aeroflot carried about 3,600 passengers under the programme, which has benefited about 50,000 passengers in its 15-year history.

Aeroflot also plans to create a section of its website dedicated to the wartime contribution of civil aviation. The Aeroflot Museum at Sheremetyevo International Airport will also host an exhibition entitled "The Unknown Soldier" to showcase materials from the family archives of Aeroflot employees. The airline will also plant a number of trees along the Aeroflot Walk of Fame.