The airline was owned by Russian tycoon Alexander Lebedev, who wanted to create a discount airline using modern Russian Tupolev Tu-204-100B 210-passenger twin-jet airliners, both new-built and used.
On 4 April 2013 NRC sold Red Wings Airlines Group "Guta" for a symbolic 1 ruble (in this case leased aircraft remained with the lessor - NRC-owned company "Ilyushin Finance").