Tolmachevo refuses to service VAL flights (330 words)

Published: 9/1/2000

Tolmachevo Airport has said that it will resume servicing the aircraft of Vnukovo Airlines (VAL), provided the carrier pays off 50% of its outstanding debts. VAL still owes Tolmachevo around 18.5m rubles ($0.7m) and despite several reschedulings of the outstanding debt over two years, has failed to meet its obligations. The VAL debt according to the airport's management is a significant part of the airport's earnings, having declared a net profit of 56m rubles ($2.3m) for 1999. On 22nd August, the airport ceased to service VAL and travellers were reissued with tickets on other airlines, primarily Sibir according to the airport. Other substantial debtors to the airport include Ukrainian Airlines and Uzbek Airlines, although the airport reports that they have repaid some of the debt under rescheduling. VAL for their part initially argued that the flights have ceased for a short period because of the move of the Novosibirsk flight from Sheremetyevo to Vnukovo. They accept debts of 16m rubles to the airport, but argue that the payment of a separate debt of 10m rubles to the fuel company at the airport Tolmachevo TZK should be seen as a payment towards the complete debt. VAL however, says it will pay off the debt by 7th September and will restore the service, as they 'do need to fly the route' according to an airline spokesman. He further added that if Tomachevo finds their approach to payment unacceptable then they would change it to suit the airport. The problems for VAL come on the back of reports of similar disputes at Domodedovo Airport, where there are reports of East Line seeking to take a number of the airline's aircraft in payment for outstanding debts. Despite its obvious problems with cash flow, the airline has announced that it intends to lease a new Tu-134A from OAO Leasing Company Alania from Vladikavkaz, taking delivery of the aircraft at the end of August.

Article ID: 2046