The extent of the programme reflects considerable confidence that demand will be high (334 words)

Published: 11/14/2001

Siberia Airlines (Sibir) has announced that, with its partner Vnukovo Airlines (VAL), it has started a programme of charter flights for winter 2001/2002 from Novosibirsk, Moscow and Irkutsk. From 26th December 2001, running through the festive season until 17th January 2002 out of Novosibirsk, it will operate flights to Utopao, Thailand (five return flights by ll-86 and Tu-154M), Cebu, Philippines (one by Il-86), Bali island, Indonesia (one by Il-86), Phuket island, Thailand (two by Tu-154M) and to Hainan island, China (Tu-154M). According to Gleb Oskokin, company spokesman, Bali, Phuket, and Hainan will be new charter destinations for Sibir and follow the start of flights to Cebu last winter using a Tu-154M. In spring (23rd March - 2nd April 2002 to coincide with spring school holidays), Sibir plans to operate two return trips from Novosibirsk to Utopao (Il-86) and to Hainan (Tu-154M). From Irkutsk, it plans to operate a Tu 154M on five flights to Utopao and one trip to Phuket, with passengers being handled by the Rossina travel agency. This contrasts with the use of its in-house agency for flights from Novosibirsk, with the exception of flights to Cebu. From Moscow, through the Pegas Turistik travel agency, Sibir and VAL plan charter flights to Istanbul, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) twice a week during the season, with frequencies rising to six times a week to Egypt during the peak season from 25th December to 15th January. The two airlines are also reported to be planning charter flights to Barcelona from 25th December (three flights a week), and are considering the possibility of operating 10 flights to Geneva from 29th December to 20th January. All these flights will be operated by Il-86 from Sheremetyevo Airport. Sibir said that it also has plans to increase the number of flights on scheduled routes from Novosibirsk to Hanover and Frankfurt as winter demand is expected to be high.

Article ID: 2909