Tatarstan Airlines
A former Russian scheduled airline based in Tatarstan, operating domestic and international services from Kazan until its closure in 2013.
About Tatarstan Airlines
Tatarstan Airlines was founded in 1993 and developed as a regional Russian carrier closely identified with the Republic of Tatarstan. Headquartered in Kazan, it operated scheduled passenger services under the U9 code. The airline ceased flying in late 2013 after Russian aviation authorities revoked its operating certificate, so it should be regarded as a defunct carrier rather than a current booking option.
Kazan was the airline’s primary hub and the centre of its network, while Moscow also served as an important departure point. Its 14 routes covered 8 destinations across 6 countries, linking Russian cities with selected markets in Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe. Destinations included Baku, Dushanbe, Istanbul, Khujand, Prague and Tashkent, reflecting a compact network shaped by regional, migrant and business demand.
The Boeing 737-500 was among the aircraft types used on Tatarstan Airlines services. This narrow-body jet was suited to the carrier’s domestic and medium-haul international routes, including the Kazan–Prague sector. Cabin products varied by aircraft and route, and travellers generally encountered the straightforward service standards associated with a regional scheduled airline rather than a highly standardised global-carrier experience.
Tatarstan Airlines was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. There is no confidently documented standalone frequent-flyer programme that remains relevant to travellers, and no active loyalty benefits are available following the airline’s closure. Any historic tickets, credits or membership claims would therefore need to be treated as legacy matters rather than benefits transferable to a successor airline.
The airline’s principal strength was the direct connectivity it provided between Kazan and several international cities that otherwise could require a connection through Moscow. Its limited scale, mixed operating environment and eventual loss of its operating certificate were significant challenges. The carrier’s final period was overshadowed by the fatal crash of Flight 363 at Kazan in November 2013, after which safety oversight and operating practices received intense scrutiny.
Good to know
Flying with Tatarstan Airlines — what to expect
Airline No Longer Operates
Tatarstan Airlines ceased operations in 2013, and its former website, schedules and ticket rules should be treated as historical information.
Kazan-Based Network
Kazan was the airline’s principal hub, with Moscow also serving as an important departure point for its domestic and international network.
Regional Boeing Service
The Boeing 737-500 operated parts of the network. Cabin configuration and service standards could vary by aircraft and route.
Check Current Alternatives
Passengers researching former U9 routes should compare airlines currently serving Kazan and confirm the actual operating carrier before purchasing a ticket.
Legacy Baggage Rules
Baggage allowances depended on the historical fare and route. Those rules do not transfer to airlines now operating similar services.
Network overview
Where Tatarstan Airlines flies
Tatarstan Airlines operates 14 routes to 8 destinations across 6 countries, its longest sector reaching Kazan to Prague (2,402 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Tatarstan Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Kazan → Prague
2,402 km · KZN → PRG
The longest sector in the Tatarstan Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Tatarstan Airlines
Notable destinations on Tatarstan Airlines's network.
U9KazandirectU9BakudirectU9DushanbedirectU9IstanbuldirectU9KhujanddirectU9MoscowdirectU9PraguedirectU9TashkentdirectDestination list is indicative of Tatarstan Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Russia
Other airlines based in Russia
FAQ
Tatarstan Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Tatarstan Airlines tickets are no longer sold because the carrier ceased operations in 2013. For comparable routes, travellers can often find lower fares by comparing current airlines, avoiding peak travel dates and booking with flexible dates.
- Tatarstan Airlines served exactly 8 destinations across 6 countries on a network of 14 routes before it ceased operations.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Tatarstan Airlines no longer operates, searches may instead show current carriers serving comparable routes.
- Historical carry-on limits depended on the fare, route and applicable ticket rules, and a reliable universal dimension should not be assumed. The airline no longer operates, so passengers should follow the baggage policy of their current carrier.
- Before ceasing operations, Tatarstan Airlines served Kazan, Baku, Dushanbe, Istanbul, Khujand, Moscow, Prague and Tashkent. It no longer operates scheduled flights.
- Tatarstan Airlines’s primary hub was Kazan International Airport. Moscow, Dushanbe, Baku and Istanbul were also among its busiest departure points.
- The busiest departure hubs were Kazan, Moscow, Dushanbe, Baku and Istanbul, ranked by the number of routes operated.
- The longest route was Kazan to Prague, covering about 2,402 km nonstop.