Dispute over ELK flights to Moscow leads to suspension of all flights

Published: 4/6/2000

Flights between Tallinn and Moscow were suspended on the 29th March, as a result of what has been described by the FSVT as a gross violation of the bilateral agreement between the two countries. The dispute centres on ELK Airlines, Aeroflot"s partner on the four flights a week route since 1997. According to reports, the Estonian carrier has come under pressure from the Estonian aviation authorities on a number of levels including a demand to change its operating code from S8 to SU, the Aeroflot designations. As a result the Tu-134 operated by the airline on the route did not leave on the 29th March. The claim from the Russian side, in the form of Aeroflot, is that the authorities are trying to clear the way for the state carrier Estonian Airlines to monopolise the route with it four times a week service. A view supported by ELK"s president, Alexander Belousov. Aeroflot is rerouting it"s a passengers on the route via St Petersburg on another ELK flight connection. Elk has been something of an aviation success story over the last eight years flourishing while the state owned carrier has toiled to improve performance from a business primarily based on Tallinn"s small aviation market. In contrast ELK, does only 30% of its business in the small Baltic nation. The FSVT visited the country in January this year to discuss an agreement regarding connection between the two countries and were expecting to conclude an agreement by the end of the first half. It would appear that this might be in some doubt in the light of events. Associated articles: www.concise.org 16th March 2000:Estonian Air grounds Boeing 17th January 2000:Russia-Estonia links discussed 26th October 1999:ELK sticks with Russian

Article ID: 1616