Red Wings appoints Igor Ivliev as general director, replacing Lebedev
Version 2: Interfax added detail beyond the earlier single-line reports: the new chief executive's background at Krasnoyarsk airport and Aeroflot, the outgoing director's move to a post inside Rostec, the company's stated priorities and its fleet composition.
In short
Red Wings has appointed Igor Ivliev, previously its commercial director, as general director, the airline's press service said, according to RBC and Interfax. Interfax reported that Alexander Lebedev, who had headed the carrier since 2025, is moving to a new unspecified position within Rostec. Interfax said the press service stated Ivliev will continue work on the route network and on preparations to receive new Russian-made aircraft, with deliveries expected next year.
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Red Wings has appointed Igor Ivliev as its general director, the airline's press service said, according to RBC, TASS and Interfax. Ivliev had been the carrier's commercial director before the appointment, RBC and Interfax reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Interfax reported that Ivliev previously headed Krasnoyarsk airport, from October 2025 to March 2026, and had held senior positions at Aeroflot, citing the Red Wings press service. RBC and TASS did not include those details. [ 3 ]
According to Interfax, the press service said Ivliev will continue to carry out Red Wings' strategic tasks in his new role, including developing the route network and preparing to receive and put into service new Russian-made aircraft, with deliveries expected next year. [ 3 ]
Alexander Lebedev, who had headed the company since 2025, is moving to a new position within Rostec, Interfax reported, saying it was not specified what that position is. Neither RBC nor TASS mentioned the outgoing director. [ 3 ]
Interfax described Red Wings as one of Russia's ten largest airlines, with a fleet of more than 20 Superjet 100 regional aircraft, two Tu-214s, one Tu-204 and three long-haul Boeing 777s. The other outlets did not report those figures. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The change of general director at one of Russia's ten largest airlines is chiefly a corporate matter, as the documents present it. Interfax reported that the new chief is tasked with route-network development and with preparing to take delivery of new Russian-built aircraft, which links the appointment to the carrier's fleet plans. The documents give no reason for the change and no detail on the outgoing director's new role beyond the fact that it is within Rostec.
Key facts
- Igor Ivliev has been appointed general director of Red Wings. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Before the appointment, Ivliev was Red Wings' commercial director. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Interfax reported, citing the airline's press service, that Ivliev had previously headed Krasnoyarsk airport, from October 2025 to March 2026, and had held senior positions at Aeroflot. [ 3 ]
- Alexander Lebedev, who had headed the company since 2025, is moving to a new position within Rostec, which the documents do not specify. [ 3 ]
- The press service said Ivliev will continue work on strategic tasks including route-network development and preparation to receive and put into service new Russian-made aircraft, with deliveries expected next year. [ 3 ]
- Red Wings is among Russia's ten largest airlines; its fleet consists of more than 20 Superjet 100 regional aircraft, two Tu-214s, one Tu-204 and three long-haul Boeing 777s, according to Interfax. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Why the general director changed and on what date the appointment takes effect. None of the documents states a reason for the change or an effective date.
- Alexander Lebedev's new position within Rostec. Only Interfax mentions the move, and it explicitly says the position is not specified.
- Whether Igor Ivliev's earlier tenure at Krasnoyarsk airport and at Aeroflot is confirmed beyond a single report. These details come only from Interfax, citing the Red Wings press service; RBC and TASS do not mention them.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RBC publishes a report that Red Wings has named Igor Ivliev as general director, citing the company's press service. [ 1 ]
- TASS publishes a brief report of the leadership change, naming Igor Ivliev. [ 2 ]
- Interfax publishes a fuller report, including Ivliev's background, Alexander Lebedev's move to Rostec and the company's stated priorities. [ 3 ]