Russian airlines to increase passenger carriage 12% in 2013 - ministry
MOSCOW. Nov 6 (Interfax) - Russian airlines could well increase the total number of travelers they transport by 12% this year, Deputy Transport Minister Valery Okulov said during an interview given to Russia 24 television.
"We will transport 83 million this year," Okulov said. Russian airlines flew some 74 million people last year, 15.4% more than in 2011.
Including foreign carriers, passenger traffic in Russia may total 103 million people in 2013. That indicator might increase to 136 million in 2018-2020, he said.
Okulov said he hoped that the appearance of low-cost airlines in Russia would make air travel accessible to people who can't afford to fly on traditional airlines. The low-cost airlines will charge 30%-40% less.
Aeroflot Russian Airlines has so far been the only Russian airline to present a low-cost airline, Dobrolet, which is due to start flying next year, Okulov said.