Routes Reconnected: Airports of Krashodar territory expects new flights to its airports
Representatives of the group of companies Aerodynamics took part in the new virtual aviation conference Routes Reconnected, where they discussed with leading airlines of the world the prospects of restoration and development of international flights. The airports of the Krasnodar Territory have aroused increased interest among air carriers.
The event took place from 30 November to 4 December 2020. Its goal is to contribute to the rehabilitation and development of air routes worldwide, eliminating the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference included virtual bilateral meetings between the airline and airport authorities participating in the event. Airline and airport representatives from all over the world had an opportunity to discuss the current situation and plans for further action to ensure the early resumption of airline operations and the return of the industry to normal operation.
Modern technology has enabled all negotiations to be conducted online without leaving the workplace. According to the participants of the event, the representatives of the industry need to have direct and real-time communication to get first-hand information on the development of the situation in different countries and parts of the world, The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed many questions. Sochi was of particular interest to airlines as a new destination for the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. During the negotiations, the managing company of Sochi International Airport provided information on the tourist possibilities of the resort and the airport infrastructure. The airlines expressed great interest and readiness to open flights in 2021 from India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, together with foreign and Russian tour operators, immediately after the lifting of restrictions on international flights with these countries.
Operational partners of Krasnodar, Sochi, and Anapa airports, which were forced to suspend flights due to restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation (Air Serbia, Air Baltic, Pegasus Airlines, etc.) confirmed readiness to resume flights on previously operated routes at the earliest opportunity after international flights to Krasnodar and Sochi have been authorized. They note the strong public demand for such transport, as well as the willingness of all airlines and airports to comply with all mandatory and recommended sanitary and epidemiological measures when they are implemented.
Many European and Middle Eastern airlines have expressed strong interest in the potential of Krasnodar Territory and are willing to consider opening new flights to Sochi, Krasnodar, and Anapa in 2021-2022. Thus, for example, one of the largest European airlines is ready to open flights to Krasnodar in two radically new destinations as soon as the approval of the authorities is obtained for the opening of flights, as it sees great prospects for the region, which is one of the largest economic and tourist centers of Russia.
Great interest in the provincial capital is in many ways connected with the flagship project «Development of the Southern Export-Import Hub», which includes the construction of a new airport in Krasnodar and the creation of a large cargo and passenger transport hub initiated by the structures of Oleg Deripaska. The first stage will be completed at the end of 2023 when a new air terminal complex with transport infrastructure (access roads with new apron and taxiways) will be ready. The second stage – the development of a full-fledged multimodal transport hub, including rail, road, and public transport services, will be completed by 2025. This will increase cargo turnover to 3 million tons per year, and air traffic to 13 million passengers. Before the pandemic, Krasnodar had over 1 million tourists per year.
Director of aviation commerce Alexander Nikonov:
«The aviation industry has a long road to travel, but it can already be said that the pandemic and its consequences have fundamentally changed the aviation market and will have a significant impact on the development of air transport worldwide in the future. With the more rapid recovery of business and personal travel, many airlines are beginning to look for new opportunities and markets. With the introduction of an electronic visa in the Russian Federation for 52 countries since January 2021, we have a unique opportunity in the development of an international tourist entry flow to Krasnodar Territory, and with the correct support of our authorities and tourist community, we can become a new point of attraction for world tourism.
We are sure that every crisis always opens a «Window of opportunities» and it is very important to use it correctly».