Yamal Airlines could become the largest in Siberia and the Far East in the next decade, says governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Dmitry Kobylkin.

"We are being asked in many cities of Russia, especially Siberia and the Far East, to open flights." Yamal "will become the largest operator in Siberia and the Far East on the fly," he said.

He noted that the regional airline will continue to replenish its fleet with SSJ-100s, with eight more due by end of 2018. In total, the carrier will operate 25 SSJs, with plans to potentially take more, according to the governner.

Yamal is also planning to buy new MS-21-300s, to replace A320 and A321, although no order has been placed yet.

Yamal operates scheduled and charter flights to cities in Russia and in other countries. The fleet is composed mainly of SSJ-100, A320, A321 and CRJ. Earlier it was reported that the airline will become an anchor in the Chelyabinsk airport.