It all started small—a few aircraft, a handful of enthusiasts, and a great responsibility: to connect the harsh North with the vast country.
In November 1929, in Arctic Arkhangelsk, where the polar night lasts for months, the All-Union Society "Dobrolet" (the future Aeroflot) issued an order establishing the Air Route Administration from Arkhangelsk to Ust-Sysolsk (now Syktyvkar). In those days, every flight was not just a journey but a true mission—to deliver people to places unreachable by trains, where rivers were locked in icy armor for long periods. Just over a year later, the Air Routes Administration of the Northern Region was established in Arkhangelsk. Thus, the city became the aviation hub of the Arctic.
The pivotal year was 1963, when the city opened its new modern Talagi Airport. At the same time, the Arkhangelsk United Air Squadron of Aeroflot was created, and turboprop Il-18 aircraft began operating on the Arkhangelsk–Moscow and Arkhangelsk–Leningrad routes. Gradually, the schedule expanded with new destinations.
In the mid-seventies, the Tu-134 appeared on the tarmac, becoming the main workhorse of the Arkhangelsk Civil Aviation Administration for many years to come.
Years passed, the airline grew, periodically changing names and statuses. It entered the 21st century as "Arkhangelsk Air Lines," already independent from Aeroflot. In the early 2000s, Russia's aviation world was undergoing serious changes; many companies couldn't withstand the pressure and ceased operations. Times were difficult for the "Arkhangelsk crew" as well, but 2004 became a turning point for the regional carrier. Aeroflot acquired Arkhangelsk Air Lines, and the renewed company received the name Aeroflot-Nord. The small regional airline gained access to the resources of the country's largest carrier. Its fleet was modernized, routes expanded, and passengers experienced modern aircraft for the first time.
But in the world of aviation, as in life, nothing lasts forever. In 2009, amid a series of tragic events, the company unexpectedly found itself on its own again, left alone with its problems in a difficult situation. Now it was called "Nordavia—Regional Airlines." This was a period of searching for its own identity—no longer a subsidiary of mighty Aeroflot, but not yet the airline we know today.
Revolution in the Sky: The Birth of Smartavia
2019. Digital technologies and new business models were being implemented worldwide. In the aviation industry, low-cost carriers were winning—airlines that made the sky accessible to everyone. Under these conditions, Nordavia's management made a bold decision for complete transformation.
The birth of Smartavia was not just rebranding—it was a revolution. Imagine: a conservative regional airline with half a century of history suddenly decides to play by new rules. A new name, modern and stylish aircraft livery, and an intuitive mobile application. And most importantly—a new philosophy: "Smart flights for smart people."
The low-cost model meant simple rules: the basic fare includes only the flight itself, everything else costs extra. This approach made it possible to radically reduce prices and make air travel accessible to students, pensioners, young families—all those who previously could only afford a third-class train car.
The Test of Strength
The real test of resilience awaited the airline in 2022. However, it was hard for everyone—sanctions hit Russian aviation like an avalanche. Overnight, international routes disappeared—no more flights to sunny Tashkent or Turkish Antalya. Supplies of spare parts from Boeing and Airbus were cut off. Many experts predicted the collapse of regional aviation.
Well, if flying abroad was impossible—let's make Russia more accessible to Russians. This was the decision made by the company. A total reorientation to the domestic market began. Smartavia sent its entire fleet of 13 aircraft—11 Boeing 737s and a couple of Airbus A320neos—to traverse Russian skies. Every aircraft worth its weight in gold, every spare part counted.
The Map of Russia as a Battlefield
Today, Smartavia serves over 60 destinations across Russia—from Murmansk in the north to Sochi in the south, from Kaliningrad in the west to Omsk in the east. Three main hubs—Talagi Airport in native Arkhangelsk, Sheremetyevo in Moscow, and Pulkovo in St. Petersburg—have become launching pads for conquering Russian skies. But competition is fierce. Aeroflot, with its enormous resources, controls more than half the market. S7 Airlines is actively developing Siberian routes. Dozens of smaller carriers are fighting for every percentage point of the market. In this battle, only the most flexible and smartest survive.
And here, Smartavia's low-cost model shows its advantages. While giants think about prestige and premium services, the team from Arkhangelsk thinks about how to transport passengers from point A to point B as cheaply and safely as possible.
Looking to the Future
What lies ahead for Smartavia? The plans are ambitious: expanding the route network, likely fleet renewal with Russian MC-21 aircraft (as part of import substitution policy), strengthening positions in the budget carrier segment.
The company holds special significance for Russia's northern regions. For residents of Naryan-Mar or Murmansk, Smartavia is not just an airline—it's a bridge to the wider world. When distances are measured in thousands of kilometers, an airline becomes the only thread connecting people with their loved ones, work, education, and leisure.
Epilogue. The Sky Belongs to the Bold
The story of Smartavia is a story of how one can survive and develop despite all circumstances. A small airline from Arctic Arkhangelsk managed to find its niche in Russia's vast skies, adapt to sanctions, rethink its business model, and stay afloat when many predicted collapse.
Today, when buying a Smartavia ticket, passengers receive not only a flight but also a piece of this story—a story of perseverance and faith that the sky should be accessible to everyone. And when an aircraft in Smartavia livery rises into the harsh northern sky, it carries a dream that distances can be conquered, and borders exist only in our minds.