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3. Critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies

The Group makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements and the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on management’s experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management also makes certain judgements, apart from those involving estimations, in the process of applying the accounting policies. Judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements and estimates that can cause a significant adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year include:

Useful lives and residual value of property, plant and equipment

The assessment of the useful lives of property, plant and equipment and their residual value are matters of management judgement based on the use of similar assets in prior periods. To determine the useful lives and residual value of property, plant and equipment, management considers the following factors: nature of the expected use, estimated technical obsolescence and physical wear. A change in each of the above conditions or estimates may require the adjustment of future depreciation expenses.

Value of tickets which were sold, but will not be used

Sales representing the value of tickets that have been issued, but which will never be used, are recognised as traffic revenue at the date the tickets are issued based on an analysis of historical patterns of actual sales data. The assessment of the probability that the tickets will not be used is a matter of management judgement. A change in these estimates may require the adjustment to the revenue amount in the consolidated statement of profit or loss (Note 5) and to the unearned traffic revenue - in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Frequent flyer programme

At the reporting date, the Group estimates and recognises the liability pertaining to air miles earned by Aeroflot Bonus programme (Note 2) members. The estimate has been made based on the statistical information available to the Group and reflects the expected air mile utilisation pattern after the reporting date multiplied by their assessed fair value. The assessment of the fair value of a bonus mile, as well as the management’s expectations regarding the amount of miles to be used by Aeroflot Bonus members, are a matter of management judgement. A change in these estimates may require the adjustment of deferred revenue related to frequent flyer programme in the consolidated statement of financial position (Note 26) and adjustment to revenue in the consolidated statement of profit or loss (Note 5).

Compliance with tax legislation

Compliance with tax legislation, particularly in the Russian Federation, is subject to a significant degree of interpretation and can be routinely challenged by the tax authorities. The management records a provision in respect of its best estimate of likely additional tax payments and related penalties which may be payable if the Group’s tax compliance is challenged by the relevant tax authorities (Note 42).

Classification of a lease agreement as operating and finance lease

Management does not apply professional judgement with regard to the classification of aircraft lease agreements as operating and finance lease agreements in order to determine whether all significant risks and rewards related to the ownership of an asset are transferred to the Group in accordance with the agreement and which risks and rewards are significant. A change in these estimates may require a different approach to aircraft accounting.

Estimated impairment of goodwill

The Group tests goodwill for impairment at least annually. The recoverable amount of each cash generating unit was determined based on value-in-use calculations. These calculations require the use of estimates as further detailed in Note 23.

Deferred tax asset recognition

The recognised deferred tax asset represents income taxes recoverable through future deductions from taxable profits and is recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position. Deferred income tax assets are recorded to the extent that realisation of the related tax benefit is probable. The future taxable profits and the amount of tax benefits that are probable in the future are based on the medium term business plan prepared by management and extrapolated results thereafter. The business plan is based on management expectations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.