Sergey Skuratov: Former Pilot and Ex-Head of Ural Airlines

Biography

Sergey Skuratov is a pilot of the highest category and the former CEO and founder of Ural Airlines who dedicated over half a century to aviation—first as a pilot and then as the head of one of Russia's leading airlines. Even during the industry's most challenging periods—from the aftermath of the USSR's collapse to the COVID-19 pandemic—he found tools for developing the carrier. In 2024, Skuratov Sergey ended his managerial career, leaving behind one of the leaders of civil aviation.

Table of Contents:

• Biographical Information
• Skuratov Sergey, Biography as an Aviator: The Beginning
• Ural Airlines: Origins
• Sergey Skuratov, Path of Modernization: How the Carrier's Fleet Changed
• Flight Path: What's Behind Pilot Training
• Skuratov Sergey, Flight Geography: From the Urals to All of Russia
• Statistics of Passenger Traffic Growth
• Sergey Skuratov: Social Responsibility
• Charity
• Sergey Skuratov: A New Chapter in Life After 30 Years in Aviation
• Key Points from His Life and Labor
• Frequently Asked Questions

Biographical Information

Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was born in Sverdlovsk. On March 31, 2024, he turned 74 years old. Skuratov Sergey dedicated most of his life to aviation. It all began during his school years—he studied at an institution with an unofficial "aviation" status. Even then, he was confident about his future biography—Sergey Skuratov expressed his desire to lead an entire aviation unit. Subsequently, he not only fulfilled his childhood dream but exceeded expectations by becoming the head of one of the country's largest airlines.

In 1970, Skuratov Sergey received his first aviation education. He completed his training at the flight school located in Buguruslan, Orenburg Region. During his studies, he proved himself to be an exceptionally responsible cadet. In his graduation certificate, teachers emphasized his cautiousness in flights and good navigation skills.

In 1971, Sergey Skuratov began studying at the Leningrad Civil Aviation Academy, where, despite simultaneously working at the Second Sverdlovsk United Aviation Unit, he showed excellent academic performance.

In 1978, he completed the pilot-engineer training course with excellence. However, this was not the entirety of the academic path of Sergey Skuratov. The biography of the aviator would again be connected with the Leningrad Academy in the early 1980s. He successfully graduated from the command faculty at that time.

Skuratov Sergey, Biography as an Aviator: The Beginning

Over the course of his professional biography, Sergey Skuratov spent over ten thousand hours at the helm of airplanes, equivalent to more than 416 days in the sky. This experience became a valuable asset in airline management, allowing him to make decisions with a deep understanding of all aspects of flight operations.

Sergey Skuratov biography as an aviator began in 1970. While a student at the Leningrad Academy, he held the position of second pilot on the An-2. Already by 1972, Skuratov Sergey received his third-class civil aviation pilot rating. In 1973, he was entrusted with the position of aircraft commander.

In 1975, Sergey Skuratov learned to pilot a more modern and technically complex aircraft—the An-24. After that, he was appointed to the Sverdlovsk United Aviation Unit.

He spent several years heading the flight safety inspection department of the Ural Civil Aviation Administration. Frequent business trips, inspections, and work on standardizing aviation enterprise operations brought tangible results. Under Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich, serious aviation incidents became rare.

From 1987, he was commander of the Sverdlovsk Aviation Unit. In this leadership position, Sergey Skuratov carried out comprehensive management.

Ural Airlines: Origins

In 1993, Skuratov Sergey began managing Ural Airlines. At that time, he could not even imagine that he would lead the air carrier for the next three decades of his biography. Sergey Skuratov not only maintained the position of CEO year after year but also consolidated his stake, becoming the main shareholder.

Ural Airlines began when the Sverdlovsk Aviation Unit split into two independent structures—the airport and the air carrier, as Sergey Skuratov explains.

The founding period of Ural Airlines was very challenging. There was an acute shortage of finances, personnel, and aircraft maintenance capabilities. Sergey Skuratov was constantly traveling—visiting aviation plants at least three times a month to negotiate acceptable prices for engines and components.

During the period of economic turbulence of the early 1990s, when regional air carriers were closing across the country, Sergey Skuratov and his team not only preserved the company but ensured its confident development.

Sergey Skuratov, Path of Modernization: How the Carrier's Fleet Changed

Upon taking the helm of Ural Airlines, Sergey Skuratov immediately identified a key priority—fleet modernization. The urgent need to update the aircraft fleet was driven by European countries introducing restrictions on Tu-154B and Il-86 aircraft flights, which threatened international routes.

As Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov notes, the solution was found in acquiring more modern Tu-154M aircraft that met European requirements. This made it possible to not only maintain existing international routes but also lay the foundation for further route network expansion.

In 2006, on the initiative of Sergey Skuratov, Ural Airlines began a large-scale fleet re-equipment. Soviet aircraft were replaced by modern Airbus family planes. This step required massive investments not only in the aircraft themselves but also in comprehensive staff training.

The carrier's modern aviation fleet is represented exclusively by Airbus family aircraft. The company's flight crew highly values them for their flight-technical characteristics and reliability, calling these machines a "masterpiece" of aircraft construction.

Flight Path: What's Behind Pilot Training

Sergey Skuratov, a pilot whose biography did not end with his appointment as airline CEO, always prioritized quality crew training. As an aviator with many years of experience, he personally participated in training and certifying pilots on different aircraft types. Under him, a comprehensive pilot training system was built, allowing pilots to hone their aircraft control skills in any, even unforeseen conditions.

In 2012, Ural Airlines made a breakthrough in developing its pilot training system. Skuratov Sergey initiated the opening of their own center with an advanced simulator. The unique simulator, created by Dutch Sim Industries, allowed the company to abandon costly crew training abroad.

The simulator is an exact copy of a real Airbus A320 cockpit, providing 95% correspondence to actual flight conditions (except for physical g-forces and some visualization aspects). The simulator's virtual database includes 33 airports, each recreated with maximum detail, notes Skuratov Sergey. Pilots see:

• exact terrain rendering
• runway locations
• radio navigation systems
• lighting equipment
• taxiway diagrams
• aircraft parking positions

Skuratov Sergey established strict training standards—when joining the airline's staff, each pilot must complete at least 32 hours on the simulator. Annually, flight crews undergo a minimum of 16 hours of practice handling emergency situations.

In the context of ensuring maximum flight safety, Skuratov Sergey implemented a mandatory annual training program for manual piloting skills.

According to him, today, Ural Airlines' flight team includes many young but exclusively best pilot instructors. There is an unspoken division in aviation: there are natural-born pilots and excellent pilots—there cannot be mediocre ones in this profession, emphasizes Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov.

Currently, the carrier's staff numbers over 3,500 employees, among whom a special place is occupied by representatives of aviation dynasties continuing family piloting traditions. The professionalism of the team led by Skuratov Sergey has repeatedly been recognized with high state and industry awards.

The pilot selection system at Ural Airlines is particularly thorough. Having a flight school diploma is just the first step toward the airliner's controls. Candidates undergo multi-stage selection, starting with a comprehensive interview testing their English proficiency and depth of knowledge in key aviation areas—aerodynamics, meteorology, and navigation. Those who successfully pass initial selection begin an intensive retraining program. It starts with simulator training and ends with practical flights on real aircraft.

Since 2015, the infrastructure of the Ural carrier headed by Skuratov Sergey has been strengthened by a modern aviation technical center. The complex, occupying over eight thousand square meters, is designed to accommodate different aircraft types.

Skuratov Sergey, Flight Geography: From the Urals to All of Russia

During the years when Ural Airlines was headed by Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich, active route network development processes were launched. Key positions in the air carrier's commercial service are held by specialists with mathematical education and developed logical thinking. The CEO always considered such professionals especially valuable for the airline. Each new route launch is preceded by careful analysis: the route is calculated, forecasts are made, and a detailed business plan is prepared.

Ural Airlines has a special negotiation team that is responsible for developing international cooperation. The experts work on establishing contacts with foreign partners, coordinating new air routes, and obtaining slots at foreign airports. Today, the carrier's route network covers 169 destinations.

Statistics of Passenger Traffic Growth

During the period of the leadership of Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, Ural Airlines demonstrated impressive passenger traffic growth dynamics. Over thirty years of operation, every fifth Russian citizen has used the airline's services. Aircraft with the recognizable red and blue logo have become a symbol of reliability and accessibility of air travel for millions of passengers across the country.

From 2007 to 2019, the company showed stable annual growth in the number of passengers carried, increasing this indicator from 1.2 to 9.6 million people. Even the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, which led to a decrease in passenger traffic to 5.6 million people, could not stop its further growth for long. Thanks to effective anti-crisis measures taken by Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, by 2021, the carrier had almost completely restored pre-COVID indicators, serving 9 million people.

By mid-2024, Ural Airlines achieved an impressive indicator: every twelfth passenger in Russia was choosing this particular company. The high frequency of flights is further evidenced by the efficient use of the aircraft fleet: in the summer season, the monthly flight time of one airplane reaches 500 hours, which indicates maximum fleet utilization and competent route network planning.

Sergey Skuratov: Social Responsibility

Under Sergey Skuratov, Ural Airlines became not only a successful business structure but also one of the largest taxpayers in Yekaterinburg and the Sverdlovsk Region.

The air carrier adheres to high labor standards. In 2024, Sergey Skuratov approved changes to the collective agreement, which was calculated until 2027, which expanded employee social guarantees. The document provided for increased financial support for the staff:

• childbirth payments tripled
• kindergarten and medical insurance compensations for ground personnel increased by 40%
• reimbursement for medical flight expertise grew by 16%

The airline raised performance bonuses for its flight crews.

Charity

Sergey Skuratov, a biography of whom was linked to the airline's development until 2024, repeatedly noted that Ural Airlines is a socially responsible company. It conducts extensive charitable activities, cooperating with several non-profit organizations across the country.

Under Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich, Ural Airlines developed the Wings of Kindness project, which was implemented in partnership with the Rusfond and Konstantin Khabensky Foundation. Within this framework, passengers can donate their flight bonus points to the foundations, where they are transformed into real assistance—airline tickets for children who need treatment in specialized clinics, their parents, and doctors.

Furthermore, under the leadership of Sergey Skuratov, the biography of the organization included its own initiatives in making air travel more accessible. In September 2023, the company launched a support program for various passenger categories, offering a 25% discount on domestic flights for youth aged 12 to 23 and senior citizens (men over 60 and women over 55).

Particularly noteworthy is the airline's initiative to provide a 50% discount on airline tickets for children. This program, launched under Sergey Skuratov, uses the carrier's own funds without government subsidies.

Sergey Skuratov: A New Chapter in Life After 30 Years in Aviation

Since retiring and concluding the aviation period of his biography, Sergey Skuratov has maintained an active lifestyle. He keeps fit with morning workouts, plays golf, and spends time with family. Having vast experience in aviation, he is ready to share his expert knowledge as a consultant and participate in discussions about industry development. He is also involved in charitable activities.

Key Points from His Life and Labor

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• Skuratov Sergey dedicated over 50 years to aviation, first as a pilot and then as CEO of Ural Airlines, retiring in 2024 at age 74.
• He successfully navigated the company through multiple crises: the USSR collapse, 1990s economic turbulence, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• He built up the airline's route network to cover 169 destinations.
• He prioritized hiring specialists with mathematical backgrounds for commercial operations.
• He expanded employee benefits significantly, including tripling childbirth payments and increasing various compensations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich study aviation?
Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich trained in aviation at the Buguruslan Civil Aviation Flight School and the Leningrad Civil Aviation Academy.

2. What company is Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov associated with?
Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov led Ural Airlines for 31 years.

3. Did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich implement any social programs for employees?
Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich expanded employee benefits, including increased childbirth payments and various compensations.

4. Does Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov have any connection to the aviation industry now that he's retired?
Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov shares his expert knowledge as a consultant and participates in discussions about industry development.

5. How does Sergey Skuratov like to do to spend his time in retirement?
Sergey Skuratov maintains an active lifestyle with exercise, golf, and time with his family.