Eugeny Bachurin has left the post of the general director with Moscow Airlines, the carrier wholly owned by the Moscow city government and operating out of Moscow Vnukovo airport.

First reports about this appeared in the Russian media in the evening of Friday, December 24. Reportedly, most of the airline’s top managers that came together with Bachurin are leaving the company also.

In his turn, Andrei Mandzelidze joined the company, - previously he was with UTair. It is expected that UTair, another Russian carrier operating out of Vnukovo, will take control over Moscow Airlines’ route network and some of its assets. UTair is headquartered in Khanty-Mansiisk, it serves primarily the oil-rich Eastern Siberia, enjoying support of top-tier Russian fossil fuel giants.

Mandzhelidze now acts Moscow Airlines executive director. He is understood to be in control of the company as a temporary head before a new general director is appointed.

Meantime, the heavy debts amassed by Moscow Airlines and the claims recently filed by its creditors in the court, make it possible that the airline will be subjected to bankruptcy procedure.

An insider in the ailing airline said massive layouts in the Moscow Airline staff are expected starting from January 15. Moscow Airlines previously operated under the name of Atlant-Soyuz.