AVIANOVA TO REDUCE CLASS CONFIGURATION IN ALL ITS FLEET

Russian low-cost carrier Avianova is changing the configuration of all its aircraft and is reducing the number of seats from 180 to 159 to comply with the modified customs regime for imported aircraft. Avianova’s five A320s are currently configured in single class with 180 seats, however this layout is subject to a 20% customs duty rather than 18% for a double class, 159 seat layout. Andrew Pyne, the CEO of Avianova, said: “The unintended consequence of Russia’s recent changes to the customs regime is to favour high fare, full service, carriers over low cost airlines: if you import Boeing 737s