Citrus

Citrus was a proposed Russian low-cost airline intended to be established by S7 Airlines as a regional carrier focused primarily on domestic routes. The project was announced in 2021 as part of S7 Group's effort to develop a network linking cities outside Moscow. Its proposed slogan, "Cities of Russia," reflected the intended emphasis on connecting regional centers rather than building a conventional Moscow-centered airline model. The brand developed from S7 Airlines' earlier experience with subsidiary operations. In 2008, S7 established Globus, a separate airline that operated alongside S7 Airlines for more than a decade. Globus and S7 Airlines were merged at the end of 2019. S7 subsequently announced plans for a new regional low-cost carrier, and a competition was used to select the name Citrus. The name and slogan were publicized as the project moved toward certification and launch. Citrus was expected to operate a predominantly domestic Russian network, with possible later expansion to destinations in other Commonwealth of Independent States countries. The planned operating model was designed around regional connectivity and low fares. S7 announced an intended fleet of 24 aircraft by 2024, although the project did not reach that scale. Ticket sales were expected to begin in April 2022, and the first scheduled service was planned for July 2022. The airline progressed through initial certification activity. On 28 January 2022, an Airbus A319 registered as VP-BHP and operating under flight code CTU-8899 conducted a certification-related flight. Citrus was reported to have received a certificate from Globus on 9 February 2022. These steps indicated that the project had advanced beyond a purely conceptual brand announcement, but they did not lead to a public scheduled service launch. In June 2022, shortly before the proposed inaugural flight, S7 announced that Citrus's launch would be suspended indefinitely. Aircraft supply and delivery difficulties associated with sanctions imposed on Russia were identified as a contributing factor. As a result, Citrus remained a planned airline rather than an operating carrier with a regular passenger network. No public operating fleet, completed route network, or sustained commercial service is documented in the supplied reference material. In February 2026, reports indicated that S7 Airlines was reconsidering the possibility of launching a low-cost subsidiary using Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft. The report may represent a reassessment of the broader low-cost-airline concept, but the available material does not establish that the revived proposal would operate under the Citrus name. Citrus is therefore best described as an S7-backed airline brand whose planned launch was suspended indefinitely, with its ultimate operating status unresolved.

Citrus was conceived as a new regional low-cost airline within S7 Group. Its development followed S7 Airlines' earlier use of a subsidiary structure. S7 founded Globus in 2008, and the two airlines later operated as related carriers until their merger at the end of 2019. In 2021, S7 Group announced plans for a separate regional low-cost airline intended to serve Russian cities beyond the country's main Moscow-centered network. The new airline was named Citrus after a competition, and its announced slogan was "Cities of Russia." The branding and proposed network indicated a strategic focus on connecting regional urban centers through affordable air services. The intended network was primarily domestic, with potential future routes to countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. S7 planned for the airline to have 24 aircraft by 2024, although that fleet target was never reached in the supplied account. The project moved toward operational preparation in early 2022. On 28 January, an Airbus A319 registered VP-BHP completed a certification-related flight using code CTU-8899. Citrus was subsequently reported to have received a certificate from Globus on 9 February. Ticket sales were scheduled to begin in April, and the inaugural regular flight was planned for July 2022. Those plans were halted before scheduled passenger service began. In June 2022, S7 announced an indefinite suspension of the Citrus launch. Problems obtaining or delivering aircraft amid sanctions affecting Russia were identified as one factor behind the decision. The suspension meant that Citrus did not establish a documented regular route network or a sustained commercial operating history. A later report dated 12 February 2026 described S7 Airlines as reconsidering a low-cost subsidiary using Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft. This development suggests that the broader business concept may have remained relevant to S7, but the available source does not say that Citrus itself was relaunched or that the name was retained. Citrus therefore remains an airline brand associated with a planned but suspended S7 regional-carrier project.

1. 2026Possible reassessment of low-cost subsidiary concept

   A report indicated that S7 was reconsidering a low-cost subsidiary using Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft, without confirming a Citrus relaunch.

   Source
2. 2022Certification flight performed

   An Airbus A319 registered VP-BHP performed a certification-related flight for the planned airline on 28 January.

   Source
3. 2022Citrus receives reported certificate

   Citrus was reported to have received a certificate from Globus on 9 February.

   Source
4. 2022Planned launch suspended

   S7 indefinitely suspended Citrus shortly before its planned July inaugural flight, citing circumstances including aircraft delivery difficulties associated with sanctions.

   Source
5. 2021Citrus project announced

   S7 Group announced plans for a regional low-cost airline, later named Citrus through a competition, with the slogan "Cities of Russia."

   Source
6. 2019Globus and S7 Airlines merge

   Globus and S7 Airlines were merged at the end of 2019.

   Source
7. 2008Globus founded by S7 Airlines

   S7 Airlines established Globus, a subsidiary that later became part of the corporate history leading to the Citrus project.

   Source

A planned regional low-cost airline intended to connect Russian cities through predominantly domestic routes, with possible later service to CIS destinations.

• Regional low-cost passenger flightsAirline services

  Citrus was intended to provide affordable scheduled passenger flights between Russian regional cities, with a network designed primarily outside Moscow. The concept emphasized domestic connectivity and could later have included selected CIS routes. The planned service never reached a documented regular commercial launch.

• Domestic regional networkPassenger air transport

  The proposed route network was to focus on domestic Russian destinations and on links between cities that were not centered on Moscow. Potential expansion into CIS markets was mentioned, but no completed destination list or operating schedule is documented in the supplied source.

• 2026Reconsider a low-cost subsidiary using Tu-214 aircraftStrategy

  A report described S7 Airlines as reassessing the possibility of operating a low-cost subsidiary after the earlier Citrus launch was suspended.

  What changed. S7 was reported to be considering Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft for a future low-cost airline concept.

  Aftermath. The available source does not establish whether the Citrus name would be used or whether the proposal would proceed.

  Source
• 2022Suspend the planned Citrus launchOther

  The proposed inaugural flight was approaching, but aircraft delivery difficulties connected with sanctions against Russia affected the project's readiness.

  What changed. S7 announced that the launch of Citrus would be suspended indefinitely.

  Aftermath. Citrus remained a planned airline and did not establish a documented scheduled passenger network.

  Source
• 2021Create a regional low-cost airlineStrategy

  S7 Group sought to establish a carrier focused on regional connectivity and predominantly domestic routes outside Moscow.

  What changed. The group announced the Citrus project, selected the name through a competition, and publicized the "Cities of Russia" slogan.

  Aftermath. The project proceeded toward certification but did not begin scheduled passenger operations.

  Source

• 2026S7 reportedly re-evaluates a future low-cost subsidiary

  A report said S7 Airlines was reconsidering a low-cost airline subsidiary using Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft. The available material does not confirm whether any revived project would use the Citrus brand.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2022Citrus Airbus A319 conducts certification-related flight

  An Airbus A319 registered VP-BHP operated a flight under code CTU-8899 on 28 January as part of the airline's certification process.

  Other
  Source
• 2022Citrus receives reported certification document from Globus

  Citrus was reported to have received a certificate from Globus on 9 February while preparing for its proposed commercial launch.

  Other
  Source
• 2022S7 suspends Citrus launch indefinitely

  S7 announced in June, shortly before Citrus's planned inaugural flight, that the launch would be suspended indefinitely. Aircraft delivery problems connected with sanctions against Russia were cited as a contributing factor.

  Other
  Source
• 2021S7 Group announces plans for the Citrus regional low-cost airline

  S7 Group announced a project to create a regional low-cost carrier focused mainly on connecting Russian cities outside Moscow. The Citrus name was selected through a competition, and the slogan "Cities of Russia" was announced.

  Product launch
  Source

1. Citrus (airline)