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Putin salutes staff of Aeroflot on its 95th anniversary, praises their professionalism

Putin wished the team further success and all the best

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

MOSCOW, April 25. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the employees of the national flagship carrier, Aeroflot, on the airlines 95th anniversary, lauding its staff’s professionalism and expertise. The President’s telegram was published on the Kremlin website on Wednesday.

"Nowadays, Aeroflot is the recognized domestic flagship air passenger carrier and one of the oldest airlines in the world. You can rightly be proud of the wonderful traditions of many generations of your predecessors and the key one is a sincere passion for their work, exceptional professionalism and expertise, responsibility and concern for passenger security," according to the statement.

The president noted that the legendary airline had travelled a long and intensive path. Putin recalled the participation of its pilots from the civilian air fleet in the Second World War.

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"They courageously defended their homeland from a cruel enemy, supplied the front with ammunition and food, evacuated the wounded, maintained contact with (then) besieged Leningrad," the telegram reads.

Putin wished the team further success and all the best, adding that the company is celebrating its 95th anniversary while flourishing, and rightfully enjoys the confidence of people both in Russia and abroad.

Founded in 1923, Aeroflot is one of the oldest airlines in the world and one of the most recognizable Russian brands. According to the air carrier’s website, it is the strongest brand among global airlines in the rating of the world's leading independent consultant on brand evaluation Brand Finance. In 1989, Aeroflot became the first Russian airline to join the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Aeroflot is based at Sheremetyevo Airport, in the Moscow Region. The company’s summer 2018 season (from March 25 to October 27) includes flights to 146 destinations in 52 countries (52 routes across Russia). In Russia, the airline has four branches: in St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Perm and Vladivostok.

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