Aeroflot – Russian Airlines and Boeing reached preliminary agreement on 16 new Boeing 777-200ER and 777-300ER widebody airliners with deliveries in 2012-2017.

According to Aeroflot’s acquisition procedures, the deal must get approval from the Board of Directors. Aeroflot already operated a pair of 777s but returned these aircraft to lessor on the ground of overcapacity for the airline’s route network.

The preliminary agreement is based on the memorandum of understanding signed by Aeroflot general director Vitaly Savelyev and president of Boeing Civil Airplanes Jim Albaugh on 19 September 2010. The MoU calls for establishing a joint working group. The group will would study the possibility of Aeroflot taking two next-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner airliners before Sochi Olympic Games opening in 2014. Besides, it will be looking at issues of possible use of Boeing 777s on Aeroflot route network before advent of the Dreamliner.

Aeroflot currently operates three types of widebody passenger jetliners, the Ilyushin Il-96-300, Boeing 767 and Airbus A330, and has on order more A330s and A350 XWB aircraft.

The Boeing 777-200ER wideboby twinjet is intended for intercontinental services. It can transport 327 passengers 13400 km. The larger 777-300ER transports 365 passengers 14685 km. The airplanes are produced in Seattle.