Aeroflot – Russian Airlines prepares to sell Nordavia, Norilsk Nickel may buy the airline.

This possible sale is understood to be part of preparations to the Russian flag carrier accepting assets due to come from Russian Technologies (Rostechnologii) state corporation, under respective order of the Russian government.

An insider in Aeroflot told Russian media that the flag carrier is going to sell 51% stake in Nordavia. The airline’s board of directors will consider this in January. Nordavia does not fit into Aeroflot development strategy up to 2025. Aeroflot is due to get control over State Transport Company “Russia” (GTK Rossiya) in 2011.

Having two carriers operating out of different hubs in the northwest of Russia is not in Aeroflot’s plans, the insider said. Norilsk Nickel is rumored as possible buyer. Should Norilsk Nickel buy Nordavia, it will merge the airline with Taimyr (Nordstar) that fell under his control earlier. Norilsk Nickel and Aeroflot are known to have been negotiating on the matter for awhile.