Sergey Skuratov is an aviation professional by heritage and an experienced manager. For many years, he led one of Russia's largest private airlines. Under his leadership, a unique personnel training system was created, which not only raised the bar for flight safety but also set relevant quality standards for the entire industry. In summer 2024, the top manager stepped down as the head of Ural Airlines, while retaining his status as the main shareholder.
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Sergey Skuratov was born in 1950 in Sverdlovsk. He spent his childhood and school years in the village of Koltsovo, which grew around an airfield opened in 1943. The Sergey Skuratov biography probably could not have taken any other path, as he was raised in a very aviation-oriented family. His father flew as a flight engineer on the Il-18 (the main long-haul airliner of the Soviet Union until the late 1960s). His mother organized the work of the airport’s transportation service.
In 1967, Sergey Skuratov received his diploma. He studied at a school informally known as the "aviation school," as it was attended by children of industry workers, and the air division participated in the life of the educational institution. Outside of school hours, Skuratov Sergey was involved in sports, preferring team disciplines. He was passionate about constructing aircraft models. This hobby developed his technical skills and spatial thinking.
In 1967, Skuratov Sergey was admitted to the Buguruslan Civil Aviation Flight School. Getting in was difficult both then and now. At that time, there were no commercial spots by definition. Both physical fitness and knowledge of core subjects were evaluated.
In 1970, Sergey Skuratov received his coveted pilot's license. During his cadet years, Sergey Skuratov developed leadership skills and headed the local Komsomol organization.
In 1971, Sergey Skuratov became a student at the Civil Aviation Academy in Leningrad. He eventually received his qualification as an engineer-pilot in 1978. Understanding the importance of continuously deepening his knowledge, in the first half of the 1980s, he returned to his alma mater, this time to take the Production Commanders courses.
Skuratov Sergey began building his career in the 2nd Sverdlovsk Aviation Division as a co-pilot. He started working there in 1970 and continued during his time as a student at the Leningrad Academy, striving to provide for his young family. At 23, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov got married and soon became a father. Flying on An-2 aircraft, he went on long-distance assignments, including to the Arctic, known for its harsh climate.
The diligence and professionalism of Sergey Skuratov did not go unnoticed: after two years, he was awarded the 3rd class civil aviation pilot rank. This achievement was accompanied by a promotion – the young pilot was approved for the position of An-2 commander.
In 1973, Skuratov Sergey made his first flight as a captain. The flight was to the city of Irbit. Skuratov Sergey also flew to Serov, Tavda, and other settlements in the Ural region. Initially, his task was to transport various cargo. After completing special training, Skuratov Sergey received permission for passenger transportation. The transition to the more complex and spacious An-24 aircraft marked another stage in his career.
1975-1993: During this time period, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich mastered the piloting of a whole range of aircraft developed by world-renowned design bureaus (An-24, Il-18, Tu-154, Il-86). Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov achieved the highest qualification – first class pilot. Sergey Skuratov flew to various cities of the Soviet Union, including Kaliningrad (Russia's westernmost region) and Sochi. He often had to demonstrate his piloting skills in the most challenging weather conditions.
In 1984, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was appointed head of the flight safety inspection of the Ural Civil Aviation Administration. He recalls being surrounded by true professionals during that period. He and his team handled a very broad range of responsibilities. They supervised flight operations throughout the region, which contained over ten airports, several aviation enterprises, and separate aviation divisions. The variety of aircraft in operation added complexity to this task.
The work of Skuratov Sergey required frequent business trips. Each aviation enterprise, according to him, had its own peculiarities. He often had to correct various deviations from standards, bring aviation facility operations to unified norms, conduct explanatory work on preventing and analyzing errors, and monitor the implementation of regulations.
In 1987, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov's career reached a new significant milestone. At the age of 37, he was approved for the position of commander of the Sverdlovsk United Aviation Division. Approval for this position went through the regional party committee bureau, which at that time was headed by future Russian President Boris Yeltsin, known for the high requirements that he had for candidates. The approval of his candidacy spoke to his exceptional professional qualities and potential. Skuratov Sergey managed to stand out among competitors. His key advantage was versatility – he had experience managing all types of air transport operated in the aviation division.
The main areas of work for Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich were:
Despite his leadership position, Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich continued to fly, performing the functions of aircraft commander and pilot-instructor. This allowed him to maintain a high level of practical skills. According to official information from the Sergey Skuratov biography, he accumulated over ten thousand flight hours.
In 1991, against the backdrop of large-scale socio-economic changes in the country, the aviation industry was also taking on a new shape. The Sverdlovsk Aviation Division also went through a transformation, becoming the First Sverdlovsk State Aviation Enterprise. Two years later, its reorganization resulted in two independent private structures. One of them was the air company Ural Airlines.
Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom by that time included impressive managerial experience, became the head of the carrier. Over time, the general director consolidated a controlling stake in the enterprise, which allowed him to determine the airline's development strategy for many years to come.
Skuratov Sergey was the permanent leader of the airline for over three decades. He was re-elected more than ten times, continuing to lead the company on a course of development and innovation.
Under the leadership of Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, the enterprise evolved from a local carrier into one of the key players on a federal scale. By the early 2000s, aircraft with Ural Airlines' branded livery connected 46 cities in Russia, former USSR states, and countries abroad. The airline's fleet consisted of 24 aircraft, including 4 wide-body Il-86 airliners capable of carrying large numbers of passengers over long distances, 17 medium-range Tu-154s, and 3 An-24s.
Sergey Skuratov, biography of whom is characterized by mastering new aircraft, paid great attention to fleet modernization issues. Its active phase began in 2006 when domestic aircraft were replaced with modern Airbus airliners. Furthermore, the company headed by Sergey Skuratov was the first in Russia to acquire and begin operating the Airbus neo with the LEAP-1A engine, with high fuel efficiency and limited environmental impact.
Skuratov Sergey initiated a large-scale flight crew retraining program, necessary for mastering new aircraft technology. Pilots were trained in small groups throughout the year, which ensured an individual approach. To improve flight attendants' qualifications, specialized courses were organized in Frankfurt, where they could adopt advanced international experience. Also, under Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, a project to create the airline's own training center was implemented.
Understanding the importance of digitalization in the modern aviation industry, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov supervised the process of implementing advanced technologies, particularly the integration of IT solutions into operational processes. This work resulted in improved passenger service quality.
Under the leadership of Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov, Ural Airlines established itself not only as a dynamically developing private carrier but also as a socially responsible company. It participates in the region's public life, implementing a wide range of charitable initiatives. It provides assistance to theaters in the Sverdlovsk Region, supports children's sports teams, serves socially vulnerable population groups, and invests in the future by helping young talents realize their potential.
In 2024, Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov voluntarily left Ural Airlines, submitting his corresponding resignation. He left behind a dynamically developing business resilient to crisis phenomena and among the leading players in air transportation. Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov was the country's only airline CEO with experience piloting a wide range of aircraft. After retirement, he plans to continue to participate in discussions about the industry's future. It is likely that the experienced specialist will be invited to relevant meetings. Throughout his career, he repeatedly received recognition for his professionalism and contribution to the aviation industry's development.
His achievements have been recognized with various awards. Among them:
Sergey Nikolaevich Skuratov is an honorary citizen of the Sverdlovsk Region, and in 2023, a business journal devoted to the Ural region included him in the list of the hundred most influential residents of the region, placing him at fortieth.
Sergey Skuratov maintains a rich family life, being married with a son and four granddaughters. His diverse interests span both outdoor and indoor pursuits – from tennis, skiing, hunting, and fishing to golf, where he notably won the first Sverdlovsk Region Open Golf Tournament in 2012. He also takes pride in his stamp collection. He often draws parallels between golf and business, believing that both require balanced decision-making and strategic thinking.
Even after retirement, Skuratov Sergey maintains an active lifestyle, beginning each day with outdoor exercise regardless of weather conditions. He continues to pursue his love for golf and dedicates time to his family.
He also has a strong commitment to community service, as evidenced by his role on the Board of Trustees of the Sverdlovsk State Children's Philharmonic Society in Yekaterinburg.
1. What key position did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich hold in 1984?
Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was appointed head of the flight safety inspection of the Ural Civil Aviation Administration, where he supervised operations across more than ten airports.
2. What milestone did Sergey Skuratov achieve in 1973?
Sergey Skuratov made his first flight as a captain to the city of Irbit, and later expanded his routes to include Serov, Tavda, and other settlements in the Ural region.
3. When did Skuratov Sergey begin his aviation education?
Skuratov Sergey was admitted to the Buguruslan Civil Aviation Flight School in 1967, where he had to demonstrate both physical fitness and knowledge of core subjects.
4. What unique distinction did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich hold among airline CEOs?
Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich was the only airline CEO in the country who had experience piloting a wide range of aircraft.
5. What innovation did Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich introduce to Russian aviation?
Skuratov Sergey Nikolaevich led his company, Ural Airlines, to become the first in Russia to acquire and operate the Airbus neo with the LEAP-1A engine, known for its high fuel efficiency and limited environmental impact.
