Astrakhan struggles due to falling traffic

Published: 4/24/2000

In a letter to regional newspaper Volga in Astrakhan, 13 flight attendants of Astrakan Airlines have accused the airline management of forcing them to accept redundancy by using blackmail and threats. Those who refuse to leave, according to the letter, have been stopped from flying since the 20th March. The general director of the airline, Vladimir Stepanovich said the layoffs are required as a result of the airline"s falling traffic, down to 90,000 passengers in 1999 from levels of 200,000 in previous years. This combined with rising fuel prices has led to deterioration in the financial position of the airline. Stepanovich commented that the load factors even on Moscow flights have fallen below the breakeven 50%. The fleet is also increasingly under life limit pressure and the airline requires eight engines upgraded this year alone. The airline says that they have tried to keep the employees on the payroll, but some crew have not flown for 2-3 years and have been drawing two thirds pay. The programme of redundancies is part of the airline"s effort to resolve its costs The airline, which employs 485 people, operates from Narimanovo Airport, Astrakan operating a fleet of An-24s, Tu-134s and a single Yak-42D.

Article ID: 1580