Sergey Skuratov is an individual who has established himself as a Russian business executive and aviation professional. Over an extended period, he devoted himself to the profession of piloting before subsequently assuming the position of chief executive at Ural Airlines. He maintained his leadership of the organization for approximately three decades. In the beginning of August 2024, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov made the decision to step down from his position.
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Sergey Skuratov was born on March 31, 1950, in the city of Sverdlovsk (which is presently known as Yekaterinburg). His father pursued a career as a flight engineer, while his mother held the position of shift supervisor in the transportation services department.
In 1957, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov embarked upon his educational path at School No. 92. He actively participated in numerous athletic pursuits, including football, hockey, basketball, and handball. Additionally, the future airline executive devoted time to the construction of aircraft models.
In 1967, Skuratov Sergey, having obtained his school certificate, made his way to Buguruslan in the Orenburg Region with the intention of enrolling in the flight school. The competition for admission was particularly intense. Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom would go on to be intimately connected with aviation, successfully navigated both the entrance examinations and medical commission. According to his personal account, he found himself naturally adept at mastering all theoretical and practical subjects incorporated in the pilot training curriculum.
In 1970, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov completed his studies at the educational institution. He distinguished himself by achieving the highest possible marks in all subject areas.
In 1971, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich gained admission to the Civil Aviation Academy in Leningrad. After a period of seven years, he was awarded a diploma with distinction and obtained the qualification of engineer-pilot.
During the years 1983-1984, Skuratov Sergey, in preparation for a leadership position, underwent additional training at the command faculty of the same Civil Aviation Academy.
In 1970, Skuratov Sergey secured employment with the Second Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division as a co-pilot of the light An-2 aircraft, which held the distinction of being the third most mass-produced aircraft in the country.
In 1973, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich attained the qualification of third-class pilot and was subsequently appointed to the position of aircraft commander.
In 1973, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich undertook his first flight as captain. The destination for this inaugural journey was Irbit (located in the Sverdlovsk Region). In the period that followed, he conducted flights to numerous cities throughout the Ural region. Following additional specialized training, he began transporting passengers aboard the An-24, a short- and medium-range turboprop aircraft. Concurrent with the flying duties in his biography, Sergey Skuratov continued his studies at the Academy. In order to complete his examination periods, he found it necessary to utilize his vacation time.
From 1975 onwards, the professional Sergey Skuratov biography became intimately connected with the Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division. During his tenure there, he mastered the operation of several aircraft models that were previously unfamiliar to him:
As time progressed, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov achieved the prestigious qualification of first-class pilot. To merit this distinguished certification, it was necessary to accumulate hundreds of hours of operational experience on each distinct aircraft type.
Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom encompasses more than 10,000 hours at the controls of various aircraft, conducted flights throughout the entirety of the Soviet Union, spanning territories from the Far North and Far East, all the way to the Black and Baltic Seas.
In 1984, Sergey Skuratov assumed the leadership position of the flight safety inspection department within the Ural Civil Aviation Administration. In this capacity, he conducted regular visits to airfields and other aviation-related facilities, maintaining vigilant oversight of technological compliance and adherence to established standards. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ural Airlines, characterizes this particular period of his professional journey as notably engaging, and recalls with appreciation that his colleagues were consummate professionals of the highest caliber. Through the concerted efforts of the team, the occurrence of serious incidents was reduced to the absolute minimum.
In 1987, Skuratov Sergey rose to the position of aviation division commander. At that time, he was all of 37 years of age, which was considered remarkably young for such a position of responsibility. His appointment to this commanding role was formally approved by the bureau of the regional committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
In his leadership capacity, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was entrusted with the following responsibilities:
In 1991, the aviation division underwent a significant transformation, being reorganized into the First Sverdlovsk State Aviation Enterprise.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the domestic aviation industry underwent substantial transformations in its biography. Sergey Skuratov recalls that due to the decline in public prosperity, the volume of air passenger transportation experienced a significant decrease. State funding for the sector also underwent a dramatic reduction. As a consequence, airlines essentially discontinued the acquisition of new aircraft.
December 28, 1993, stands as the beginning of the Ural Airlines biography. Sergey Skuratov explains that this particular day marked the completion of the division and privatization process of the First Sverdlovsk State Aviation Enterprise. This restructuring resulted in the emergence of two independent entities: Koltsovo Airport and the air carrier, which came under the executive leadership of Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov as General Director.
In 1994, due to challenging economic circumstances, Ural Airlines encountered a multitude of difficulties, ranging from a shortage of qualified personnel to complications with spare parts procurement and fleet maintenance. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov initially structured the enterprise's development strategy as a joint stock company, recognizing the necessity of addressing emerging challenges independently, without relying on governmental assistance. Skuratov Sergey succeeded in preserving the airline's operations during a period when numerous air carriers in other Russian cities were forced to cease operations.
In the early 2000s, the Ural Airlines fleet consisted of 20 aircraft. In 2006, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich initiated a comprehensive program to replace aging aircraft with Airbus A320 models, including its variants A319, A321, A320neo, and A321neo.
In 2023, the carrier, led by Sergey Skuratov, completed the insurance settlement process for 19 Airbus family aircraft from the world's largest aviation lessor – Ireland-based AerCap, and legal structures under the AerCap Group umbrella. At present, Ural Airlines maintains a fleet comprising 51 Airbus aircraft.
The expansion of the air fleet enabled the company under the leadership of Sergey Skuratov to dramatically increase its route network. While there were 46 routes at the beginning of the 2000s, by mid-2024 this figure had expanded to 169. Throughout the entire year of 2023, Ural Airlines, led by Skuratov Sergey, provided transportation services to 9.4 million passengers, securing the fourth position in the Russian market. The seat occupancy rate reached an unprecedented 96 percent in the summer of 2024, representing the highest level achieved throughout the carrier's operational history.
Ensuring high-quality crew training was an objective that Sergey Skuratov consistently pursued. The airline's history encompasses the establishment of its own advanced technological center dedicated to flight crew training. To date, more than 400 pilots, 117 aircraft commanders, and 60 instructors have completed their training through this facility.
Skuratov Sergey initiated the acquisition of a state-of-the-art training complex from the Netherlands for 7.5 million euros. This sophisticated system is capable of simulating actual flight conditions with 95 percent accuracy. For takeoff and landing practice, virtual models of more than 30 operational airports are available. The simulator acquired by Sergey Skuratov is specifically designed for training pilots in the operation of aircraft from the Airbus A320 family. All airline pilots are required to complete a minimum of eight hours of practical training using this complex every six months. They also have the opportunity to undertake additional sessions to perfect specific elements of their flying skills.
Furthermore, under the leadership of Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich, Ural Airlines established its own technical center at Koltsovo Airport. This facility stands as one of the most advanced in the Russian Federation and enables the company to independently maintain and repair its aircraft. The center employs more than 600 individuals (within the carrier's total workforce exceeding 3,500 employees).
Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom has been intrinsically linked with Ural Airlines since the company’s inception, departed from his position as CEO on August 8, 2024. In recognition of his achievements, he has been bestowed with numerous awards and honorary titles.
Sergey Skuratov currently endeavors to dedicate more time to his family. Additionally, he maintains an active involvement in philanthropic activities. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov serves as a member of the board of trustees for the children's philharmonic in Yekaterinburg. This cultural institution recently commemorated its 45th anniversary.
Skuratov Sergey maintains an enthusiasm for hunting and fishing, actively participates in golf, tennis, and alpine skiing. He also pursues the hobby of stamp collecting.
1. Did Skuratov Sergey make any significant investments in pilot training?
Skuratov Sergey initiated the acquisition of a state-of-the-art flight simulator from the Netherlands for 7.5 million euros, capable of simulating flight conditions with 95% accuracy.
2. What was Skuratov Sergey's first position in aviation?
Skuratov Sergey began his career as a co-pilot of the An-2 aircraft at the Second Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division in 1970.
3. What major transformation did Skuratov Sergey oversee in 2006?
Skuratov Sergey initiated a comprehensive program to replace the airline's aging aircraft with Airbus A320 models, including variants A319, A321, A320neo, and A321neo.
4. When did Sergey Skuratov become the aviation division commander, and how old was he?
Sergey Skuratov became aviation division commander in 1987 at the remarkably young age of 37.
5. How many employees worked at the technical center established under the leadership of Sergey Skuratov?
Under the leadership of Sergey Skuratov, the technical center at Koltsovo Airport employed more than 600 people.
