Sergey Skuratov: 57 Years of Shaping Russian Civil Aviation

Sergey Skuratov: 57 Years of Shaping Russian Civil Aviation 

Biography

Sergey Skuratov is the founder and long-time head of Ural Airlines (which operates without state participation), who completed his professional career as CEO in August 2024. Over 30 years under his leadership, the airline became one of Russia's leading private air carriers.

Table of Contents

·         Name

·         Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich: From an Aviation Family

·         Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division

·         Skuratov Sergey: Career "Takeoff"

·         The Challenging Years of the Airline’s Formation: Fleet Modernization and the Course for Development

·         Sergey Skuratov: The 2020s

·         Skuratov Sergey: Career Highlights

·         Frequently Asked Questions about Sergey Skuratov

Name:

Скуратов Сергей · Сергей Скуратов · Скуратов С.Н. · С.Н. Скуратов · Скуратов Сергей Николаевич · Сергей Николаевич Скуратов · Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich · Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov · Sergey Skuratov · Skuratov Sergey · Skuratov Sergei Nikolaevich · Sergei Nikolaevich Skuratov · Sergei Skuratov · Skuratov Sergei · Sergei Skuratow · Skuratow Sergei 

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich: From an Aviation Family

Sergey Skuratov was born on March 31, 1950, in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg). His family's history is closely tied to aviation. His father worked as a flight engineer on Il-18 passenger planes, while his mother headed the transportation service at Sverdlovsk Airport. The aviation unit that his father flew in was based at this airfield.

Skuratov Sergey was immersed in aviation not only through his parents: the family lived in the working settlement of Koltsovo (which is what the Sverdlovsk airport was renamed to in 1993), where he interacted with children from the families of pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, and other aviation personnel. This settlement, which later became part of Yekaterinburg's Koltsovo District, was specifically built for Sverdlovsk employees.

During World War II, School №92 was built in the settlement, which is still considered the most aviation-oriented in the area. This is where Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov went to school. As some of his teachers recall, as a schoolboy he expressed the desire to become the commander of an aviation unit.

In 1967, the Sergey Skuratov biography in aviation began with his admission to the Yeromasov Buguruslan Civil Aviation Flight School. The competition was tough, but the applicant was ultimately chosen (including an exam in core subjects, a medical examination, and physical fitness standards).

In 1970, after graduation, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich could only fly as a co-pilot on An-2 planes. To become a pilot or commander of passenger liners, he needed to, first, accumulate the necessary flight hours. Second, he had to upgrade his qualifications at a higher civil aviation flight school.

In 1978, Skuratov Sergey graduated from the Order of Lenin Academy of Civil Aviation.

In 1983, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov became a student at his alma mater’s command training program, which was formed for active pilots, with lectures were mainly attended by aircraft commanders.

Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division

In 1970, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov joined the Second Sverdlovsk Aviation Division and began flying the single-engine An-2 biplane.

In 1972, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich received his third-class pilot epaulets. Several months later, gold stripes were added as he became an An-2 commander. In this role, he made his first flight to Irbit, the administrative center of the namesake district in the Sverdlovsk Region. After that, the crew flew to the north and east of the region, and later to almost all major settlements in the Urals.

While studying at the Order of Lenin Academy of Civil Aviation, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich studied the aviation specifics of the turboprop An-24, one of the most common third-class aircraft. In 1975, he passed the necessary tests to fly this plane. Later, Skuratov Sergey became a first-class pilot, and from 1975 onward, he piloted different types of planes from three design bureaus, classified by weight:

·         An-24

·         Il-18

·         Tu-154

·         Il-86

Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov flew from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad, from the forest-tundra of the Taymyr Peninsula to the coastal zone of Kuban. Throughout his aviation experience, he encountered various situations. Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich performed landings in difficult conditions but always followed protocols.

Skuratov Sergey: Career "Takeoff"

In 1984, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was appointed head of safety inspection for the Ural Civil Aviation Administration. He monitored compliance with flight regulations, aircraft condition and operation, and aviation personnel work across the entire region, which at the time had 10 airports serving as bases for several aviation units and divisions. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov went on business trips almost every week. He noted that civil aviation safety in the Urals has always maintained high standards.

In 1987, Sergey Skuratov biography was enriched by his appointment as commander of the Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division. He became the youngest leader of such rank in the industry. By the early 1990s, the aviation unit was considered the best in the USSR civil aviation structure.

The massive changes associated with the collapse of the USSR also affected aviation. The unified Soviet carrier split into multiple entities, and flight volumes sharply decreased. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov recalls: all aviation enterprises began operating intermittently, and the industry instantly became unprofitable. The civil aviation sector lost its funding, which led to increased equipment failures.

In 1991, the aviation unit headed by Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov was reorganized into the First Sverdlovsk State Air Enterprise. Two years later, through privatization, the organization split into two joint stock companies: Koltsovo Airport, which gained international status, and Ural Airlines.

The airport's former manager from the aviation unit became the CEO of the airport, while the lead position at the private airline was taken by Sergey Skuratov. Biography of the Ural Airlines' owner would go on to be linked to the history of the new air carrier for the next 30 years.

The Challenging Years of the Airline’s Formation: Fleet Modernization and the Course for Development

By the end of 1994, passenger traffic volumes across the country were declining, and consequently, so were jobs at aviation companies. Some Central Asian countries had accumulated debt to the airline, but Ural Airlines continued operating unprofitable flights there while other airlines would not risk doing so, thus preserving runway slots for the future.

Money was scarce even for the industry's main expense — aircraft maintenance, recalls Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom during this period consisted of constant business trips and negotiations for the supply of spare parts.

For five years, Ural Airlines operated flights within Russia, to some CIS countries, and to countries further abroad.

At the beginning of 2000, the airline ranked 10th in passenger traffic volume. A year before that, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich sent pilots to the French city of Toulouse, where they underwent Airbus crew training for International Civil Aviation Organization (a specialized United Nations agency that sets international standards for civil aviation) Category II operations: this was a rare qualification among aviation credentials at that time.

Flight attendants trained in Frankfurt, Germany. To enable staff to study the program in English, the CEO brought in experienced specialists: any translation error or misinterpretation could have led to fatal consequences.

In 2000, Ural Airlines' operations stabilized. When many regional carriers ceased to exist, the company was effectively preserved and developed by Sergey Skuratov. Biography of the enterprise under his leadership is an example of a regional carrier's successful expansion to the federal level.

2006 marked the beginning of a large-scale fleet renewal for Ural Airlines and a carrier rebranding: the company became recognizable thanks to the new Airbus family aircraft branding, which were chosen to replace the outdated Soviet aircraft.

This decision was made by Sergey Skuratov. Biography of Ural Airlines was replenished with the arrival of modern technical equipment, and in 2019, new generation of Airbus A320neo aircraft were added to the fleet.

In 2012, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov opened a local training center for Airbus family aircraft pilots, equipped with an innovative simulator (creating an almost realistic pilot cockpit environment) from the Dutch company Sim Industries.

Sergey Skuratov: The 2020s

In 2020, during the pandemic, Ural Airlines pilots transported ventilators, PCR tests, and medicines from China. Flights were conducted in full chemical protection suits with respirators, goggles, and gloves, and only upon arrival at their home port could the protective coronavirus suits be removed and disposed of according to all sanitary regulations. The aircraft would then be disinfected both inside and out.

In 2023, Ural Airlines, then still headed by Sergey Skuratov, received approval from Federal Air Transport Agency to perform technical maintenance on the modern Russian passenger aircraft Sukhoi Superjet. Maintenance work is to be carried out at the Ural Airlines Technics maintenance base.

As of 2024, Ural Airlines remains among the five major domestic airlines. The carrier offers flights within Russia, to neighboring countries, and to the far abroad.

The airline currently employs more than 3,500 staff members. Many of them come from pilot families, emphasizes Sergey Skuratov. However, Ural Airlines' flight crew team is considered particularly strong for another reason: at the vocational retraining center, courses are conducted by active pilots who select future crew members based on rigorous criteria.

It is important not only to graduate from flight school and hold a pilot's license but also to have a "working level" English proficiency according to the International Civil Aviation Organization scale (ICAO-4) and knowledge of specialized subjects (aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation).

During January, February, and March 2024, the company transported just under 2 million passengers (a record figure for the company's entire history for this period).

In August 2024, Sergey Skuratov left Ural Airlines to take some well-deserved rest – he was 74 years old at the time of retirement.

Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov decided to focus on charitable activities, and he remains active in the life of the industry as an expert. Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom includes 57 years in aviation, also continues to participate in industry events (meetings, exhibitions, round tables, etc.).

Skuratov Sergey: Career Highlights

·         He was born into an aviation community in Koltsovo, where he grew up among families of pilots and aviation personnel, shaping his early connection to the industry.

·         In 1984, he was appointed head of safety inspection for the Ural Civil Aviation Administration, overseeing regulations across 10 airports.

·         The airline under his leadership continued operating flights to Central Asian countries despite accumulated debts, strategically preserving valuable runway slots for future operations.

·         Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich prioritized international training standards, sending pilots to Toulouse for International Civil Aviation Organization Category II operations training and flight attendants to Frankfurt.

·         During the 2020 pandemic, he led the airline's efforts to transport medical supplies from China, implementing strict safety protocols.

·         He graduated from the Order of Lenin Academy of Civil Aviation in 1978, continuing his education with command training in 1983.

·         His leadership during the post-Soviet transition period helped the airline survive when many regional carriers ceased operations.

·         He obtained his first commander role flying An-2 aircraft to Irbit, marking the beginning of his command experience.

·         He emphasized hiring from aviation families while maintaining strict professional standards, including ICAO-4 English proficiency requirements.

·         Under his supervision in 2023, the airline received approval to maintain Sukhoi Superjet aircraft, expanding technical capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sergey Skuratov

1. What school did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich attend as a child?

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich attended School №92, which was considered the most aviation-oriented in the Koltsovo area.

2. Where did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich fly to on his first flight as commander?

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich made his first flight as commander to Irbit, the administrative center of the namesake district in the Sverdlovsk Region.

3. What major appointment did Sergey Skuratov receive in 1987?

Sergey Skuratov was appointed commander of the Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division, becoming the youngest leader of such rank in the industry.

4. What types of aircraft did Skuratov Sergey pilot during his career?

Skuratov Sergey piloted the An-24, Il-18, Tu-154, and Il-86 from 1975 onward.

5. What did Skuratov Sergey do during the 2020 pandemic?

Skuratov Sergey oversaw the transportation of ventilators, PCR tests, and medicines from China during the pandemic.

6. What geographic range did Skuratov Sergey cover as a pilot?

Skuratov Sergey flew from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad, and from the Taymyr Peninsula to Kuban.

7. What important facility did Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov establish in 2012?

Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov opened a local training center for Airbus family aircraft pilots with an innovative simulator.

8. When did Sergey Skuratov retire from Ural Airlines?

Sergey Skuratov retired from Ural Airlines in August 2024 at the age of 74.

9. What did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich do during the challenging period of the 1990s?

The airline under his leadership continued operating unprofitable flights to Central Asian countries to preserve runway slots while managing staff reductions.

10. When did Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov complete his studies at the Academy of Civil Aviation?

Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov graduated from the Order of Lenin Academy of Civil Aviation in 1978.