Aeroflot considering opening three new regional clusters, first in 2023 - CEO

MOSCOW. Oct 18 (Interfax) - Aeroflot is considering the creation of three new regional clusters, the first of which could open in 2023, the Russian flagship carrier's CEO, Sergei Aleksandrovsky, said at a meeting of the economic policy committee of the Federation Council.

"We plan further to open regional bases in our medium-term development plans. We are considering three main clusters for ourselves. These are the south of the Russian Federation, the Far East, the Volga Region, and the Urals. In 2023, we plan to open another regional hub in one of the clusters that I have announced," Aleksandrovsky said.

Moreover Aeroflot is considering new international flight destinations, including Africa, Sergei Aleksandrovsky, said.

"We are considering and constantly monitoring new international markets for ourselves. Africa is one of the markets that we are looking at in terms of our potential there. However, given all the restrictions, we are now primarily focused on traditional international markets. Africa has not been one of those for us," he said.

Aleksandrovsky said that Aeroflot was concentrating on priority international routes, as "opportunities are rather limited right now in terms of the fleet."

Aleksandrovsky noted that the group has focused on domestic airlines in general in 2022.

"The international market is understandably limited for us now. However, we are operating flights to all countries where we can fly," he added.