Vitaly Gennadyevich Savelyev (Russian: Виталий Геннадьевич Савельев; born 18 January 1954) is a Russian businessman and politician serving as the Deputy Prime Minister for Transport since May 2024.[2] He was previously Minister of Transport from November 2020 until May 2024[3] and he served as the chairman and CEO of Aeroflot, Russia's largest airline, from 2009 to 2020.[4]
From 1977 to 1984, Vitaly Savelyev worked at the USSR Ministry of Energy (Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam). He became deputy director of the All-Union SevZapMetallurgMontazh Trust in 1984, and deputy director of the GlavLeningradEngStroy Chief Directorate in 1987. In 1989, he was named President of Russian-American DialogInvest JV, chairman of the executive board of Rossiya Bank in 1993, and chairman of the executive board of Menatep in 1995. In 2001–2002, he was Deputy Chairman of the executive board of OJSC Gazprom,
2001 − present — Member of the Council of the Association of Russian Banks
2002 − 2004 — Gros United Company, Vice-president
2004 − 2007 — Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Deputy Minister
In 2010, Russian president Vladimir Putin tasked Vitaly Savelyev to transform Aeroflot in Russia's first full-fledged airline group. Many regional carriers were merged with Aeroflot.[8] In 2013, he made Aeroflot the main sponsor of the UK soccer team Manchester United.[9] He introduced Aeroflot's new low-cost airline Pobeda in 2014 and actively contributed to bend Russia's aviation code to favor the development of airline activities.[8] In June 2017, he announced that 40% of Aeroflot's fleet would be composed of domestic aircraft (including Irkut aircraft).[10] Between 2009 and 2017, the number of passengers carried by Aeroflot grew from 8.9 million to 50.1 million. In August 2018, he was reelected CEO of Aeroflot.[8]
On 9 November 2020, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin nominated Savelyev for the Minister of Transport after the resignation of Yevgeny Dietrich.[14] On 10 November, Savelyev's candidacy was approved by the State Duma and on the same day, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Savelyev to the post of Minister.[15]
“Leader of the Year” category winner at “Person of the Year 2011” award according to RosBusinessConsulting (RBC), Russia's leading Internet holding company (2012).[16]