Minister: Russian airlines can lose 10% of traffic in 2016

MOSCOW, Sep 5 (PRIME) -- The passenger traffic of Russian airlines can decline by up to 10% in 2016, Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov told PRIME in an interview on September 3.

“The domestic market has increased significantly. The growth was about 6%, according to the data as of now. But still, the correction will be up to 10% due to a catastrophic fall of international traffic,” Sokolov said.

He said that restart of charter flights between Russia and Turkey, and a possible launch of flights to Egypt later this year may improve the situation.

According to Sokolov, the government is expected to retain state support of airlines so they could carry flights in unprofitable destinations in 2017. He said that Kaliningrad, Crimea and the Far East remain the investment priorities.

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