Deruluft
| Founded | November 24, 1921 |
|---|---|
| Commenced operations | May 1, 1922 |
| Ceased operations | March 31, 1937 |
Deruluft (Deutsch-Russische Luftverkehrs A.G., or Deruluft) was a joint German-Soviet airline, established on 11 November 1921. Deruluft opened its first permanent airlink between Moscow and Königsberg (via Kaunas and Smolensk) on 1 May 1922. It started a new route between Berlin and Leningrad (via Tallinn) on 6 June 1928, and maintained both routes until 31 March 1936. Deruluft was a successful business, but terminated on 31 March 1937 due to the changed political situation.
Deruluft handled mainly post and freight. An overview of transported persons, mail and freight from 1922 to 1931:
Most of the aircraft used were German, and so was its organization until the 1930s. Its first aircraft were Dutch-built Fokker F.III's. Later German Junkers F13's were added to the fleet. At first, Deruluft carried only mail and officials, but on 27 August 1922 the service was opened to the public. From 1929 onwards the early Fokker F.III's were replaced by Dornier Merkur's. Early 1931 the Tupolev ANT-9 was added.
R.E.G. Davies, Aeroflot: An Illustrated History of the World's Largest Airline, 1992.
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