Good results may be impacted by New Year disruptions

Published: 2/29/2000

Domodedovo Airlines (DA), Russia"s third largest carrier, has reported a 29.6% increase in cargo turnover during 1999, compared to the previous year. According to DA, international cargo turnover grew by 11.7% over the period, to 7,468 tonnes and domestic cargo turnover, by 46.6%, to 11,891 tonnes. It added that mail volumes had fallen by 2% over the period, to 1,918 tonnes, but that its cargo load factor had risen by 16.2% to 60%. Passenger traffic also increased by 13.8% to 552,294 and passenger load factor improved by 11.9%, to a remarkable 72.2%, compared to 1998, how many were paying however, appears to be a matter of debate judging by recent disputes. The figures are a slight decline from the ten-month stage, when growth year on year was running at 18.3% DA has recently been involved in a standoff with the Russian government over debt payment. In January, it temporarily suspended all flights throughout Russia by way of protest and it is rumoured that part of DA"s management may also be under investigation by the tax police. This uncertain state of affairs suggests that the airline"s results for the first part of the year may not be so positive, but they should benefit during the year from the gradual firming of the Russian economy. Associated article: www.concise.org. 28th December 1999; 21st January 2000

Article ID: 1489